Last night TV9 aired a Hujah forum – presumably pre-recorded given the seeming editing of certain portions of the debate — which certainly was both topical and controversial: “Masa Depan Ketuanan Melayu” (The Future of Malay Supremacy [Dominance]).
The panel consisted of former Universiti Malaya historian Dr. Malik Munip, who had written a book that touched, among other things, the notion of “Ketuanan Melayu” in the mid-1980s, and UM law academic Dr. Azmi Sharom, a vocal critic in his own right (and write).
It was clear as daylight for the viewers to see that the views held by both the panellists on the issue of “Ketuanan Melayu” were divergent and conflicting so much so that there were moments of tension between the two. Malik was supportive of the notion of “Ketuanan Melayu”, reminding Malaysians, particularly the non-Malays, to appreciate, among other things, the pre-independence “social contract” and the “Malay character or origin” of the land.
In contrast, Azmi was clearly sceptical, if not critical, of the concept, which he felt could, and has been, politicised by political parties, particularly the ones that are race-based in ideology and membership, in a fashion that could further harm ethnic relations and national unity in the long run. He pointed out that the rights of the Malay community were already, and continue to be, enshrined in the Federal Constitution, and therefore there was no need to harp on the idea of “Ketuanan Melayu”.
There were times, though, when a certain line of argument was interrupted by what looked like an editing endeavour of the TV station.
But what, I thought, really stole the thunder from both the panellists was the moderator, an academic from UKM, who, at the end of the forum, made the conclusion that “Ketuanan Melayu” was very much relevant and needed for the overall unity of Malaysians even though, as stated above, there was no consensus derived from the forum.
It must have ‘blown away’ people like Azmi when the moderator unilaterally and deliberately formed that conclusion in that forum.
On a whole different tangent, that this issue can be considered so paramount and national is illustrative of the Sabahan MPs’ argument about Sabah being laid on the side burner.
Ketuanan Melayu is barely, if ever, an issue in the East, yet it is treated as if it is a national concern, and definitely covers the length and span of our fair nation.
cheers