When the red shirts represent Malays, then I am not Malay

Recently, one Datuk Jamal Md Yunos speaking on behalf of a coalition of Malay NGOs, said the red shirt rally/gathering known as Perhimpunan Padang Merbok, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on September 16, is not aimed at creating chaos.

He said it will be business as usual at the venues where it will take place, namely on Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Petaling and Padang Merbok. The same gathering has also been referenced to as Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu.

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But last Wednesday, it was reported by a local daily that this same person had advised non-Malays to avoid the city during the red shirt rally, to avoid provocation.

Really, so which is which now? Business as usual in Chinatown? Or should everyone hide and give way for some massive silat demonstration?

Such hypocrisy denotes the incompetency of this coalition and its mission.

To me, the term Melayu referenced by these red shirts does not represent the Malay that runs in my blood, or my family’s, and most of my friends.

The red shirt mission is most aptly defined by their mantra, which is ‘kembalikan maruah Melayu’, meaning to restore the dignity of Malays. So what actually defines a dignified Malay, according to them? Does being dignified involve violence and threats?

If their definition so happens to be correct, then count me as a non-Malay. My dignity comes from the noble virtues and basic human values which my ancestors, and family, and friends have instilled in me - Malay or non-Malay.

Perhaps I am not Malay, at least in the eyes of these red shirts, because I am not provocative; neither do I contribute to racial and social tension among my fellow Malaysians. Instead, I crave for peace and harmony, all year round, all the time.

This guy Jamal, in the same report I mentioned earlier, said something to the effect that “If they (the red shirts) see a rival group during the rally, of course there will be provocation.”

Really, is this how a dignified Malay speaks and acts?

These are not the ‘Malay qualities’ I want to nurture in my children. I wonder what kind of stories these red shirts tell their kids? And are they proud of it and what they represent?

MUST READ: Red Shirts rally: What Malays should fear

You know, I already had a hard time explaining to my daughter why the Prime Minister used the word ‘bangsat’ (in decent English, it means scoundrel) on TV.

I also found it tough explaining to my son why the abangs and the pakciks tried to burn down the Shah Alam stadium with flares and smoke bombs on 'live' TV, during the recent World Cup qualifying match between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

Perhaps these hooligans, the Ultras Malaya, are the same kind of Malays who would rather turn to violence as a means of advancing their cause?

I must say, they do look and sound similar – basically a group of immature bullies.

If one were to ask how many types of Malays there are, my answer would be that I definitely don’t fall in the same category as those mentioned above.

So please, you red shirt people, stop prancing around our fair city with your silat, trying to scare peace-loving Malaysians away on Malaysia Day, while truly thinking that you are doing the Malays in this country a favour. Dignified much? I don't think so.

Ironic that these people believe their cause is to restore the dignity of Malays.

If the red shirts really are representative of the Malays in this country, then I am ashamed to be Malay. For I am not vengeful nor am I racist. And I have no problems with the Chinese or Indians or any other race. After all, we are all God’s creation.

And finally, I am not Malay because I don’t and never will conform to violence. I don’t hit myself or others with roof tiles or brooms. Neither am I big on fireworks and throwing flares at people like the Ultras Malaya, who I feel should be called Ultras Malay by the way.

It’s funny that the two most meaningful colours aren’t actually colours at all. Black and white – for they represent right and wrong, life and death.

For what may or may not happen on September 16, red just doesn’t do it. Gray matter counts for a lot though. And this is what is sorely lacking with these red shirts and their plans for this grand gathering.

I don’t belong to any colour. Red shirts, yellow shirts, blue shirts, white, green, shirts, candy coloured shirts. Whatever your colour is and the colour that represents you, we are all in the end, human beings.

But, I am Malay.

That’s a fact and nothing can ever change that. But more than that, I am human too, just like you. Just like every Malay, just like those in Government and the Opposition, just like every Malaysian.

Humanity counts for everything. So, why do we continue to hurt each other?

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*Views expressed here are personally those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Astro AWANI