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Figuring out One Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 What is One Malaysia? This has been troublingsupporters of Umno since Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak announced it in his

maiden speech as prime minister nine days ago.

Opposition parties have claimed it mirrored the Malaysian Malaysia conceptchampioned by the DAP and, before that, the PAP under Lee Kuan Yew when

Singapore was part of Malaysia.

This claim has troubled Barisan Nasional politicians aiming to regroup after the

coalition's disastrous Election 2008 outing.

Today, the Umno-owned Mingguan Malaysia refuted that connotation in an

opinion piece and put in perspective that One Malaysia means no one in the

country will be sidelined but affirmative action policies will continue.

In not too many words, it remains faithful to the two planks of the National

Economic Policy (NEP) the eradication of poverty irrespective of race and

economic restructuring that was launched by Najib's father Tun Abdul RazakHussein in the aftermath of the May 13 race riots.

The opinion piece headlined 'Satu Malaysia versi sebenar' by Awang Selamat, apseudonym used by the newspaper's editors, allayed fears that Najib will end the

NEP and ensure equality for all.

Among others, Awang wrote, it included elements of development based on unity

and integration, the people's interests and excellence to push the country'sprogress, adding he was glad when Najib denied it had anything to do with a

'Malaysian Malaysia' although the government would be fair to all races totransform the country.

"Awang hopes the true version of One Malaysia is understood clearly. Theaffirmative policies to help the Malays who really poor and left behind (compared

to other races) will continue.

"Indeed there is a need to continue the affirmative policies due to historical

realities and the social contract while the government intensifies efforts to

increase the quality of life for all," he wrote.

While Mingguan Malaysia, which enjoys wide circulation in Malaysia's rural

areas where Umno still commands majority support and respect, has made its

definition, it remains to be seen how Najib will put the slogan into action.

However, it is clear that the concept will not work with a top-down approach as

Malaysians become more aware of the power of their vote and are willing to shop

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around for a political party or coalition more in tune with their desires and needs.

While the economy is at the forefront of their minds, Malaysians particularly theyoung and those in the urban areas have been clamouring for an independent

judiciary, respectable police force, equal treatment and politicians who don't speak

from both sides of their mouths.

They have been demanding reforms in various government policies and

institutions, handing former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, a hugemandate in the 2004 elections but taking it back in 2008 when the reforms

faltered.

The country's sixth prime minister has added "People First, Performance Now" to

his One Malaysia concept to recapture the people's confidence and it will be up to

him and his cabinet, which has already been maligned by the opposition, to ensure

they live up to his slogan.

And ensure that his "One Malaysia" is the same as their "One Malaysia".