Description
This is an important book because it is written by an educated, progressive Malay, and because it deals frankly with the problem of racial harmony in Malaysia, where roughly half the population is Malay and half non-Malay. We are publishing it because we believe the author's views should be read-whether or not we share them.
Dr Mahathir sets out to give his interpretation of the Malays' point of view. He is fully entitled to do this, though not all Malays will agree with his explanations or his opinions. Dr Mahathir, for years, was an important member of the United Malays National Organization. He was expelled shortly after the 1969 General Elections (in which he lost his seat) because of his open criticism of the present Malay leadership.
This book seeks to explain the causes for the 13 May 1969 riots in Kuala Lumpur, to explain why the Malays are economically backward, to explain why the Malays feel they must insist upon immigrants becoming real Malaysians speaking, in due course, nothing but Malay, as immigrants to Australia speak English, as immigrants to America speak nothing but the language of what the author calls "the definitive people".
Dr Mahathir argues that the Malays are the rightful owners of Malaya, that immigrants are guests until properly absorbed. He makes the point that immigrants are not truly absorbed until they have abandoned the language and culture of their past.
Dr Mahathir is pessimistic about the future. He believes it is not entirely out of the question that "ultimately, political power might prove the complete downfall of the Malays". At the same time he considers that removal of all protection from the Malays (which at present they enjoy because of political power) would subject the Malays to the primitive laws that enable only the fittest to survive.
ISBN: MALAYDILEMMAM
