Let all races compete on a level playing field

They say you should keep close to your friends and even closer to your enemies, and that is the main reason I still read Utusan Malaysia.

I recently read a piece of writing in the said newspaper by Dr. Alias Mohamed, the president of the National Association of Malay Journalists and Writers of Malaysia.

The said doctor explained his thoughts on the elaborate plan the Chinese have in trying to take over control and power of Malaysia.

He detailed it from pre-independence of the country right up till the formation of Malaysia, and the political and economic scene today.

From what I gather, the main point of the said doctor's piece is that the Chinese in Malaysia are now slowly succeeding in their plan after more than sixty years.

The great conspiracy theory, huh?

My response to this can be a very simple one, depending on how you look at things. They say that only the strong survives, and that the rule of the survival of the fittest exists.

So it really isn't that complicated to me. If the Malays are weak, then according to the rule of the universe, they deserve to be obliterated anyway.

What good is a race that survives in a state of mediocrity, whose existence is only kept alive by a life support system? I say, yank the plug and let them suffocate.

I am just as proud of my heritage as the old man from the kampung sitting at the warong kopi in his kain pelekat after Friday prayers.

But when it comes to my integrity and pride, I feel defensive. I don't like to be told that I am only where I am because of affirmative action.

I despise it when people tell me that I should be thankful to the system for what I have, such as the education that I received and the opportunities I have in life.

I'd like to think that everything that I have achieved or am planning to achieve is due to my own hard work, effort and God-given talent.

There were several things that I did to prove that I wasn't who I am just because of this system that was in place to, apparently, push me ahead.

I decided to pursue a post-graduate degree overseas, on neutral grounds, to see if I had what it took to make the grade.

And when I started working, I made sure that the bulk of my revenue came from overseas clients that didn't care what race I was.

Thankfully, all this worked out and I'm proud to say that I can go anyway with my head up high knowing that I have what it takes.

Now back to this elaborate plot of the Chinese wanting to take over Malaysia. If the Malays want to be proud of who they are, then compete in a level playing field.

If the Chinese can now be seen as succeeding, it must be pretty sweet for them since they are actually doing it despite it not being a level playing field.

But seriously, all this talk of one race trying to dominate another is of no relevance to me, and to many other Malaysians out there I’m sure.

I, and many other Malaysians of the new wave, don't believe in the segregation of race in the country anymore. We believe in one Malaysian race.

Citizens of the country are citizens. It doesn't matter how many generations were born here or even if they were granted citizenship after they were born.

It's just too medieval and archaic to still be thinking within racial and ethnic lines. Everyone is created equal and if you want to get ahead, then work for it.

Chinese, Malay, Indian, whatever. If we're Malaysian, then we're Malaysian. Band together to be stronger together. Not fight with each other.

You know what they say. Bersatu kita teguh, bercerai kita roboh.