GEORGE TOWN: The refusal by the Chinese and Indian immigrants in the past to assimilate to Malay culture should be blamed on the British colonial policy, Malay elites and the non-Malay elites, a former DAP leader said.
Former Penang deputy chief minister II Dr P. Ramasamy said, in fact, Umno leaders like former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the others were equally to blame for perpetuating the ethnic, cultural and religious divisions in the country.
He said it was easy, convenient and even racist to say that the absence of assimilation in the country was the fault of the non-Malays as though they were responsible for charting the course of the country's history.
"Dr Mahathir was the prime minister twice, first for 22 years and later 22 months. What did he contribute by way of implementing assimilationist policies?
"Apart from the slogans of Bangsa Malaysia, Look East Policy and others, there was no substantive move to promote Bangsa Malaysia.
"Given the politicisation of ethnicity and religion for political expediency, Dr Mahathir and Umno were the beneficiaries of policy that were implemented in the name of Malay dominance or Ketuanan Melayu.
"Didn't it occur to him that the idea of Malay domination ran counter to his idea of the need for Bangsa Malaysia? If Malay domination was pursued relentlessly under Dr Mahathir, and others who came later after him, what would have been the reaction of the non-Malays.
"Was there an expectation that they would promote Bangsa Malaysia when there was perception that their language, culture, religion and vernacular schools were under threat? Dr Mahathir cannot have the cake and eat at the same time," he said today.
Yesterday, Dr Mahathir said that Chinese and Indian immigrants in the past refused to assimilate to Malay culture.
Speaking on the Keluar Sekejap podcast hosted by former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan, Dr Mahathir said immigrants in the past, particularly during Malaysia's post-independence, wanted integration instead of assimilation as they wanted to preserve their culture from their originating countries.
Elaborating, Ramasamy said the absence of the spirit of Bangsa Malaysia must be seen in relation to the historical forces that shaped the political course of the nation.
He said the British colonial power as well as the elites in Umno, MCA and the MIC were the architects of the post-independence policy the country.
He noted that following the 1969 racial riots, Umno's hand was considerably strengthened to reinforce the ethnic, cultural and religious divisions in favour of the Malays.
"The non-Malays were merely trying to hold to their ethnicity, culture, language and religion that they perceived was in danger as result of Malay hegemony.
"Dr Mahathir, having administered the country, cannot turn around now to blame the non-Malays for the absence of assimilation. He is equally responsible, if not more, in the perpetuation of the divisive political, economic and social system.
"It is strange in the age of the recognition and celebration of identities; Dr Mahathir is suggesting the adoption of an outmoded political system based on the concept of assimilation. Even Indonesia having long suppressed the Chinese identity is beginning to pursue cultural reconciliation.
"It is strange that why Dr Mahathir failed to choose India as an example where the flourishing of regional languages has not posed problems for the integration of India as nation. To doggedly pursue the argument that assimilation is a way forward in ethnically divided societies is none starter," he added.
Ramasamy also went on to say that Dr Mahathir seemed incorrigible in casting the blame on the non-Malays for lack of Bangsa Malaysia.