By M.Krishnamoorthy
A former Associate Professor, author, media coach, and journalist
Malaysia has a unique take on positive discrimination. FRANCE 24 is an international television station broadcast in English.
“While most affirmative action programmes are aimed at promoting opportunities for ethnic and religious minorities, the Malaysian government has implemented a system that favours the country’s majority, Malay Muslims, who account for nearly 70 per cent of the population. These policies have proved to be harmful for descendants of minority groups in Malaysia, such as Chinese and Indians,” FRANCE 24's introductory remark aired in its top stories broadcast. The YouTube FRANCE 24 video was titled: “Malaysia's ethnicity-based quota system favours Muslim majority.”
The voice-over of the reporter added: “By global anti-discrimination standards, Malaysia's law protecting its historically ethnic majority is unusual instead of helping minorities (Chinese and Indians). Its Affirmative Action System is a major disadvantage for them. Thilangan’s best friend is one of the few Muslims who dared to criticise the privilege he enjoys being in the ethnic majority.” The Muslim Malay student in the interview said: “Yeah, it's unfair. The system is wrong today because some people are taking it for granted. We can't really change the system even if we want to. I don't think this system actually affects our friendships. Friendship will remain the same.”
FRANCE 24 narrated: “Since gaining independence from Great Britain in 1957, Malaysians were promised equality. Malay Muslims who represent nearly 70 per cent of the population coexist side by side with descendants of Indian and Chinese migrants sent to work in Malaysia by British colonists. But during riots in 1969, Malay Muslims attacked ethnic Chinese whom they accused of monopolising wealth and positions of responsibility and power. To ease the tensions, the government passed a series of affirmative action laws, which are still in place today, to ensure the Muslim majority would be guaranteed employment, access to education, and positions in the civil service.”
Moving to another scene, the reporter added: “This director made a documentary about the topic, telling the story of Indians across the country.”
An Indian interviewed by the director said: “The Malays have their own rights, and we have no right to question their rights. It's a very sensitive issue: race, politics, and religion are always very sensitive. I think you understand that, at the end of the day, each and every one will have their own rights,” and the filmmaker acknowledged this viewpoint. But he fundamentally disagreed. He recalled that his family has been Malaysian for four generations. "I am in Malaysia, and I am registered as a citizen, and I pay tax, and I am treated as a citizen on paper. Yes! I am Malaysian, but it just doesn't feel like your own home when you are continuously being discriminated against,” said the film director.
The FRANCE 24 reporter asked Malay Muslims about the legal privileges granted to them as the majority. The reply was: “Yes. Special for the Malay. Why? Because this is our country. Chinese people come from China, Indians from India, but originally, Malaysians are Malays; this is our country. People here just follow what the government says. Okay! Okay! enough!” the Malay man concluded.
The FRANCE TV reporter continued: “The subject is taboo far from the official discourse of the Malaysian government, which often praises harmony. Preferential treatment of Muslim Malays applying for civil servant positions is also indisputable, with nearly 80 per cent of top management positions being held by Muslim Malays in 2022.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (https://helloimkrishna.com/) is a media coach, former Associate Professor, and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German, and Australian Television networks, and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
M. Krishnamoorthy (krishnamuthaly@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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