The Outing of Anas Zubedy

8/3/2019 The Outing of Anas Zubedy

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THE OUTING OF ANAS ZUBEDY.

Commander (Rtd) S. Thayaparan, Royal Malaysian Navy, is aregular kopi-tiam kaki of mine. He graduated from the BritanniaRoyal Naval College, Dartmouth in 1965. His tour of duty saw him as

Commanding Officer of KD Tombak, KD Gempita, KD Ganyangand Executive Officer on Training Frigate KD Hang Tuah.

Through self-study he qualified to read law at Lincolns Inn and wasthe first Malaysian Naval Officer to be called to the Malaysian Bar in1985.

Commander Thaya wasthe prosecutor for the Navy in the case of thecollision between K.D. RAJA JARUM and M.V. SHOUMARU, and acted asDefense Counsel in the case of the sinking off the petrol vessel K.D. SRI PERAKin the South China Sea, both making front-page news.

Since retiring from the Navy, his expertise were sought in Timor Leste

supervising both Parliament and Presidential elections and as a UN

Volunteer Sri Lanka. He is currently with Yayasan Salam, an NGO.

His articles often appear in the Mainstream Media. He sent me this article

as a blog-post. It is a rebuttal to ANAS ZUBEDY:

1. Openly acknowledge that we were sired from a Malaypolity


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Without an iota of doubt, make it clear that you completely accept historythat this country is sired from a Malay polity; with a history, religion and wayof life that are from the Malay-Islamic tradition. Only when you make it veryclear that you acknowledge this history, communication lines will begin toopen.

1. Firstly, who do you mean by we? We as a nation? We as a culture? Whocomprises this we? We are a diverse group of people seeking shelter in acountry not our own. The only people who can legitatemely say they arenatives are the Orang Asli and the indigenous people of Sabah and

Sarawak. Perhaps it is you who should acknowledge that before the arrival ofIslam, you were Hindus. Perhaps it is you who should acknowledge thatyour culture contains aspects from both Chinese and Indian Culture.

Perhaps this should be acknowledged in our history books and taughtto our young. Perhaps when you acknowledge this like many other

Malays, you would be able to empathize with the rest of us whoacknowledge the polyglot nature of our culture. Just ask the BabaChinese or the Chittys of Malacca. I assure you when you acknowledgethis; you will find communication much easier.

2. Appreciate that the Malays shared the land

Generally, the Malays are a gracious people. They are more inclined towardsgiving than taking. They showed this when they agreed to share TanahMelayu. They see it as a sacrifice. You must learn to understand why they feelthat way.

2. I appreciate that the indigenous people shared theirland.Not that they had much choice in the matter.

I think grace is shared by most people in this country. I suggest you read up

on how the Malay rulers negotiated this giving of Malay land. I suggestyou educate yourself on who helped build the infrastructure of this Malayland. I hope some day you understand the sacrifice of the Non-Malays whocontributed in a very significant way during and before the coming of theBritish to this land you seem to think the Malays shared with us.

They agreed that from 1957 onwards the communities who came here initially

to earn a living were automatically promoted from "immigrants" to co-owners

of the land. They welcomed millions as fellow citizens. By doing so, the

Malays agreed to become a community among communities. All they askedwas to


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be assured of two things - that their Malay Rulers and that their religion

Islam are respected.

Who has disrespected Malay rulers and denigrated Islam. Who has curtailedthe powers of the Sultans? Who has made a mockery of the great religionwhich is Islam? Yes we are different communities living under the umbrella ofcertain principles , the most important of which you mentioned but the fact

is, it is UMNO and UMNO alone who is responsible for the lessening of powerof the Sultans and the injudicious way Islam is applied. Anyone who becomesa citizen is expected to follow the laws of the land. The non Malays havehonored this. I suggest you look to UMNO who claim they represent theMalays who have usurped the powers of the Sultan and denigrated Islam.

A show of appreciation for this act of sharing will make a big difference to

the Malay community. If you and the DAP set the example to appreciate thatthe Malays shared the land, the hearts of the Malay community will open to

you. Just a simple acknowledgement, a simple thank you, would havewarmed

their hearts.

Why should the DAP thank the Malays? And by Malays I mean people likeyou. Perhaps it is people like you who should thank the non-Malays. Who

pays more taxes? Money that goes into education institutions that benefit themajority of Malays. Money that goes into religious organizations that morallypolice the Malays. Money that goes into institutions that denigrate other races BTN for instance. Perhaps it is people like you who should be thanking theNon Malays. We are a simple people and I am sure we would receive yourappreciation with open arms.

3. Get to know the Malays

You (Guan Eng) and the DAP need to get to know the Malays and get toknow Islam. Embrace both the good and bad within the Malay community.

Learn to accept

their idiosyncrasies, just like there are idiosyncrasies in any other culture.

3. I think Mr. Guan Eng knows the Malays pretty well. After all he wasdetained under the ISA for defending a Malay girl while the Malay MenteriBesar who assaulted her got away scott free. So, really it is you who need toknow Mr. Guan and the rest of the DAPbetter.


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It is you who need to understand that Mr. Guan Eng and the DAP alreadyknow the Malays. Mr. Guan Eng for instance probably got to know moreabout Malay culture when he was detained under the ISA with Mat Sabuhis PAS comrade. I have no idea what you mean by getting to know theMalay community. As a people we understand each others community.

The DAP is merely a political party and not some sort of stand in for theChinese community.

If the DAP really wants to represent all Malaysians, regardless of race andreligion, you need to understand all Malaysians. And the Malays need to know

that you understand them. Fifty-four years after agreeing to become acommunity among communities, they are naturally concerned that those inauthority are people who will not understand their needs.

Of course the DAP wants to represent all Malaysian. This is why their politicalprinciples are based on certain basic commonalities that all communities can

subscribe to. Of course the Malays understand the DAPespecially now thatthe DAP is forging closer ties withPAS. They understand better now becausethe blindfold is slowly but surely being lifted of their eyes.

They see that both DAP and PAS are working together for the benefit of allpeople and that all people of this country are equal and should be treated assuch. The Malays realize that people in authority have used race for years todivide this country while enriching themselves and exploiting their graciousnature.

As a basic start, it would be good to learn and practise Malay peribahasa.

Peribahasa has been a part of Malay culture for many generations and itreveals many insights into the values of the Malays. If you use it in your dailyconversation, it will give you a medium to gently communicate with the

hearts of the Malays. Another simple thing to cultivate is the habit of wearingtraditional Malay wear, especially during official functions. Perhaps you canalso organise programmes for your leaders to stay in a Malay kamping. It willbe a good eye-opener for them to understand how to relateto the Malays.

I have no idea what you mean by Malay adat and peribahasa. Exactly whathas this got do to with understanding Malay culture? Does Mr. Guan Engspeak Malay? Yes he does. Is the manner in which he speaks it rude? No it isnt.Does Mr. Guan respect the Malay community? Has he allocated funds andresources to help the community? Yes he has. In short, has he run the state heleads competently?

What is wearing Malay traditional dress really mean? What is staying in aMalay kampong achieve? If people are in need regardless of race, an effectiveleader carries out programmes that benefit them. Your mundane suggestions


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make it seem as though Mr. Guan Eng is an alien, who has no clue of Malayculture when he has lived here all his life. Perhaps it is people like you whoshould wear the traditional dress of Non-Malays then maybe you would notfeel as though non Malays dont understand you.

If the DAP practises simple gestures like this, it is an opportunity to show

that you respect and value Malay culture. It will demonstrate the DAP's

inclusiveness. A good example of inclusive culture is shown in the Peranakancommunity who draw from both Malay and Chinese traditions. By beinginclusive, they do not lose out anything but become a richer people for it.

Practicing simple gestures like you describe is nothing but symbolic gesturesmeant to distract from the real problem of the community. I would ratherMr. Guan Eng concentrate on the numerous social problem that affects theMalay community and by helping remedy such problems, Malays (like you)

will realize that substance is far more productive than form.

4. Say sorry

Some of the DAP's actions in the past, rightly or wrongly, may have hurt theMalay community. For the Malays to stop seeing the DAP as an antagonist,theDAP has to acknowledge the hurt they have caused the Malays and saysorry. If you look at the practice of asking for forgiveness every Aidilfitri, youwill realise how important this act is to the culture. The Malays will say sorryeven if they did not do wrong. They will ask for forgiveness simply as a goodgesture out of respect. They say sorry all the time. That is embedded

in the Malay culture. The Chinese may see saying sorry as "losing face" but forthe Malays, saying sorry it is to give the other party "face" - an act of highculture.

4.What does the DAP need to apologize for?

Please list out the wrongdoings that the DAP has perpetuated against theMalay community. Why is the Malay community feelings hurt? Whatexactly has the DAP done? Please be specific, because simply asking for anunwarranted apology is the height of hubris and exactly the sense ofentitlement that the policies of UMNO have created.

But seeing how Malays like you, like to say sorry, perhaps you couldapologize for Ibrahim Ali, for waving the Keris around, for the systemicdiscrimination that the Non Malays have to put up with, the constantreminders that we are foreigners even though as I have stated above it isour taxes that are being used for the majority.


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Sometimes, to achieve bigger purposes we know that we have to humbleourselves and take the wiser path. In this spirit, I suggest that you apologise forthe chauvinistic actions the DAP has taken in the past. For

example, the DAP's attempt to forge a "Malaysian Malaysia" in the way ofmaking the Malay culture and all cultures of Malaysia equal. That is wrong toour history. They are inconsistent with the DAP's objectives as an inclusiveMalaysian party.

Right, now we get to the crux of the matter. You do not think that non Malayculture is equal to Malay culture. Behind your benign rhetoric is really asupremacist, wanting his due. Yes, we are all equal. In other words, youprobably are a firm believer in Ketuanan Melayu. I trust you realizethat PAS has abandoned that perspective. Thankfully most Malays are notlike you. When you finally ever read Malaysian history you will bedisappointed to discover that what you think of as Malay has got a lot to with

non Malay cultures. I hope the DAP never bows down to the supremacy yousubscibe. I hope no party ever bows down to your racist and bigoted views.

Once you say sorry, it will not be difficult for the Malays to forgive and toforget. It is part of the Islamic principles that are ingrained in the Malayworldview. Prophet Muhammad also showed the example of a forgiving spirit.The Quran in 8:61 commands: "But if they incline to peace, you also incline toit, and (put your) trust in God."

It amazes me that you advocate Malay supremacy and yet quote the Quran,which is one of the more egalitarian religious books around. I suppose you are

Malay first then a Muslim, which is funny because most of the Muslim I knowwould say that all men are equal before God regardless of race or culture. Irepeat unless you have some specific list of wrongs doings done by the DAP;there is nothing really to talk about.

5. Lim Kit Siang must retire

If the DAP is serious about being a multiracial party, it needs to re-brandpublic perception towards it. There must be fresh leadership so that the DAP isno longer judged based on past actions. The old must make way for the

young.5. Lim Kit Siang must not retire. Again, you are the few who wish toperpetuate this old canard that the DAPis a chauvinistic party. It is not. Whatthe DAP is has a lot to with Mr. Kit Siang. His principles and integrity are vitalif the DAP is to navigate this new terrain we find ourselves in.


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As long as Lim Kit Siang remains in power directly or indirectly, I feel thatthe DAP will continue to be perceived as a Chinese-exclusive party. Detractorswill use his past actions as a scapegoat to disrupt theDAP's multiracial aims.This is why I believe that it is good time for Lim Kit Siang to pass the baton tonew leaders.

What has Mr. Kit Siangs leaving got to do with rebranding? The party isrebranding itself with its commitment to PAS and the Pakatan Rakyat. Theyneed experienced leaders to offer guidance in these troubled times. I have noidea why you would signal out Mr. Kit Siang and offer no reason for why he

should leave except for vague accusations of chauvinism.

You do not have to worry. The only reason why theDAP is perceived to be aChinese based party is because Utusan Meklayu continues in its scurrilouscampaign to convince its declining readership that theDAP is to be feared,much like how the BN propaganda organs attempted to do so with PAS. Mr.

Kit Siang has got nothing to do with it.

6. Be willing to lose out a considerable portion of the Chinesevoter base

I am glad that in terms of theory and constitution, theDAP welcomes all asequal members regardless of race and religion. But to really have this inpractice, theDAP has to be prepared to lose out the portion of the Chinesevoter base who wishes to remain exclusive.

The DAP can be a positive alternative to race-based political parties. To dothis you need to let it be known that the DAP is serious about being inclusiveto all. Make it clear to the rakyat that you are willing to give up ties with thechauvinistic Chinese, and all Malaysians will feel assured that you will fairlyrepresent all.

6. Again, with the fallacious reasoning. The fortunes of the DAP have risen andfallen because of their association with PAS. One of the reasons they didnt dowell before 2008 was because of their association with PAS. It was PAS whodecided to be more inclusive in terms of its principles which is why boththe DAPand PAS have benefited.

Exactly who are these chauvinistic Chinese you keep referring to? And whatties have the DAP, got to cut? It is you who are going on about the superiortyof the Malay race and although I do not speak for the DAP; they have noneed for your vote. What they do need is the Malay voter who understandsthat we are all equal and that change is needed for the stewardship of thiscountry. And thanks to the efforts of PAS many more Malays are beginning torealize that the DAP is not a chauvinistic party.


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7. Merge the DAP and PKR

The fastest way for the DAP to be a formidable alternative to race-basedpolitics is to merge with PKR. Once you do that, automatically you become amultiracial body - a truly Malaysian party.

Let us be honest with ourselves. The loose coalition of the DAP, PKR and PASseems similar to the BN formula of Umno, the MCA and MIC. Before long, therakyat will begin to see you as a copy of BN.

The real issue that needs to be solved here is trust among leaders. When itcomes to the membership, the majority will follow the leaders. If you andthe DAPleadership make a clear stand to merge with PKR, the majority willfollow suit.

7. Why should the DAP merge with PKR. What dont they merge with Pas?

The BN is a coalition of single race based parties. The Pakatan is a coalition oftwo multiracial parties and one religious one, who have shown that they canattract votes from across the board. The only one who seems to thinkotherwise is people like you.

I think your idea of merging the parties is pure nonsense. What Pakatan hasgot going for it is a diversity of views. You can keep screaming about how youthink that DAP is not multiracial when what you obviously mean bymultiracial is that it needs to be dominated by Malays. Thats not multiracialthats your supremacist attitude peeking out. As it is, there are Malays whowould vote for DAP and their number is growing everyday as they are

Chinese who would vote for Pas.

Your idea of a merger while it seems like a nod to multiculturalism is rather

about your race insecurities.

Lastly, I felt compelled to respond to your

Open letter because it caused great concern

amongst the retired Malay Armed Forces

personnel I mix with. Has it come to this?

They wondered.

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The Outing of Anas Zubedy