This analysis by K J Khoo was originally published in Aliran Monthly in 1993 (Vol. 13 Issue no. 4). We are re-publishing it, with minor amendments, in view of recent reports linking the sale of MAS shares to Bank Negara’s losses in foreign exchange speculation. These reports reinforce the central points in the article relating to accountability and transparency. These points are evidently valid to this day.
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Johan Abdullah wonders whether we are now on a new threshold in ethnic relations as he senses a rise in the number of worrying incidents. He goes on to review how the character of ethnic relations may have changed over the years and provides a new context for understanding ethnic relations.
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There are some lessons we can learn from India whose medieval society was more religiously tolerant and open, says Asghar Ali Engineer. But divide-and-rule colonial tactics and politically divisive forces have created communal and religious divisions in their competition for power, threatening India’s secularism in the process.
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Ethnic-based economic policies will undermine the objective of promoting national unity, warns Terence Gomez.The problem of growing intra-ethnic inequalities is evidence enough that government policies should be aimed at helping all groups in need, regardless of race.
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Perak recently raised water tariffs even though the Perak Water Board has been making healthy profits for the past five years. Jeyakumar Devaraj writes on the turbulence sparked by the hike and the controversial move to corporatise the Board.
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Penangites are fed up with empty promises to improve public transport, says Angeline Loh. Theirdisappointment stretches from Penang to Putrajaya, where the Prime Minister seems to have forgotten his home state.
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We need to listen to be aware of our prejudice and stretch the borders of the self, says Wong Soak Koon in response to the controversy surrounding the university guide-books.
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The Malaysian government didn't seem to mind the recent local protests against Israel’s invasion of Lebanon but demonatrations against oil fuel price hikes remain a big ‘no-no’, noted PSM.
Our cover story focuses on the slide in ethnic relations in Malaysia. Johan Abdullah senses a rise in the number of worrying incidents that have affected ethnic relations. He goes on to review how the character of ethnic relations may have changed over the years and provides a new context for understanding ethnic relations.
To better manage ethnic relations, we need to be aware of our own prejudices and to stretch the borders of the self. Reflecting on the controversial university ethnic relations course guidebooks, Wong Soak Koon argues that the course should instead stimulate critical thinking while examining the legacies of history.