What is so wrong about having Malabari roots?

Malabari is an archaic term which refers to the inhabitant of Malabar which is now part of the Indian state of Kerala.

Generally, a Malabari could be a Hindu, Muslim or Christian which has been overtaken by Keralite identity. A Malayalee Muslim feels proud when he is referred to as a Malabari because of his unshakeable loyalty to his mother tongue Malayalam, aside from his fierce revolt against the British colonialists.

Lately, Prime Minister Najib Razak had been very critical of Mahathir Mohammad, the former Malaysian premier, with reference to his Malabari or Malayalee ancestry. The manner in which it is said and the audience to which it is addressed does not suit the status of his office and the statesman-like manner Najib is trying to portray himself.

Reading his specific reference to Mahathir's ancestry in a general way would give the impression that the Malabarees are untrustworthy and cannot be accepted into one's company or he should be rejected as a person of questionable character.

These kinds of innuendos and more are obvious. Najib could have avoided this for it negates his claim that he is for all races and that Umno adopts an all-race inclusive policy. His deeds negate his claim of inclusivity.

If Mahathir had committed wrongs during his premiership and while leading Umno, it cannot be overlooked that the majority of Umno leaders including Najib were supporting him in all what he did. If indeed Mahathir was wrong and abusing the power vested in him, what were these leaders doing?

They not only supported him but claimed that he was the saviour of the Malays. Would it be too much of a leap to suggest that all the leaders were indeed using him to reap rewards for being with him and supporting him to protect their own interests and enriching themselves? A minority of the Malays benefitted when the majority Malays suffered and were led to believe that they are better off than before.

It would seem Mahathir was the instrument Umno leaders used to humble the component parties in Barisan Nasional in a general way and to oppress the people.

Is Indian ancestry unacceptable?

Another troubling insinuation is that Mahathir is an Indian or had Indian ancestry. The manner Mahathir's Indian ancestry is portrayed seems to suggest that there is something unacceptable being an Indian or to have Indian ancestry. Such an insinuation reveals the immaturity of Najib and those who ape him.

Besides, such an insinuation condemns the entire Indian community as unacceptable. Those who look at the ancestry of Mahathir should look into their ancestral mirror to discern their ancestors. Further, the Indian Muslim community had played an effective role in the development of this country.

In this context you cannot ignore Munshi Abdullah and Sulaiman Ninam Shah, to name a few, the latter who served as the permanent chairman of the Umno general assembly for a long period of time. Umno claims that it protects Malay tradition but it has miserably failed by forgetting those who cared for Umno and the Malays in general.

Najib and his supporters could continue to blame Mahathir but the truth is they themselves cannot be absolved. It would not be too much of a fantasy if these accusers are equally guilty for all the wrongs that had happened under Mahathir and they too are answerable because they were riding high on the popularity of Mahathir.

Would it be wrong to conclude that Umno in its grand design is only aimed at protecting a few at the expense of the majority?

The way insults are hurled against Mahathir and the accusations that are levelled against him demonstrate the kind of politics and political manoeuvring the country and the people have had to endure under Umno rule since Merdeka.

The truth is now emerging, the true colours of Umno leaders had surfaced and the people will have to ask: Is the country safe under Umno? - by Lawyer K Siladass (Mkini)