In the wake of the blowing out of proportion of the recent move by the Penang State government to implement open and transparent tenders instead of the direct-negotiation method previously employed – there have been warnings issued and there have been illegal protest. All this can be traced to the misinterpretation of the statement issued by the Chief Minister of Penang who was quoted saying that he would drop the New Economic Policy (NEP) in favour for a more balanced, open and transparent policy.
Yet it would seem that the ruling coalition’s head UMNO and by proxy their well placed “peoples” are bent on inflaming the Malay community against the BR led Penang government. From shortsighted statements issued (here), to insinuation made from the Prime Minister himself on the issues and of course not forgetting the usual one-sided view expressed by the local main stream media – who are by the way partially owned by the political party – it is a blatant sign that UMNO is attempting to stoke the racial tension by provoking the “Malay Agenda”.
On can but shake his or her head in bewilderment as it would seem that the racial card and political fear seems to be game plan of UMNO. After 50 years of leadership at the helm of this great country apparently the race based mentality is still the mantra of UMNO!
Thus as I watched the news coverage of the recent UMNO rally in Penang where the members of UMNO took to the street to protest the recent remarks of Penang CM Lim Guan Eng, I could only shake my head at the statements made. The Penang UMNO leaders were all issuing various statements that in my mind had only 1 clear objective – that is to fire up the coals of racial tension. Yes the true face of these so called UMNO leader are revealed for one and all to see.
And what really peeved me was that with all the statements uttered that ran foul of the Sedition Act and also that the protest held and led by UMNO Penang was deemed illegal by the Police – can someone please tell me why not a single person was arrested?
Can the Police force actually say with any sincerity that they have carried out their job as they are normally wont to do? Personally I don’t think so!
It was then that I stumbled across this article – Pesanan Khas kepada Orang Melayu Pulau Pinang – Jangan Cepat Melatah.. – that was wonderfully worded and full of insight. This article made me realize, and thank god fervently, that not all Malaysians are easily fired up all over nothing
