(Warning: If you'd really like to continue reading this post, please stay neutral until you finish the whole text, and only comment after that. Don't just quote part of my words, 断章取义)
Even though I'm a Chinese, I don't agree with a certain mindset of the Chinese Society.
I agree that all races should have our rights to learn our own mother tongue. To me, however, the Chinese community is over-protecting and over-promoting Chinese language, until a lot of the Chinese (especially kids) neglected National Language.
These actions might benefit part of the Chinese Community, but the others (especially the poor and less-educated one) are the 'victims' of this issue.
Some of us will think why I need to learn national language since I can study in Mandarin throughout my school years? For those who can afford to study in Chinese Independent School, it maybe still okay. For those who cannot afford, they also think the same; but the cruel reality is, they fail in their studies because of that, because they were being taught that Chinese who know Mandarin is more than enough. From there, they lost their opportunity to excel in their studies and stay in low income community because they have to enter government school where suddenly they have to study many subjects in National language which they don't even know how to read it!
So you might think,"that's why we should fight for the Chinese, so all Chinese can study in Mandarin all the way long!" If we manage to get this opportunity (which is what we are having now with all the Chinese primary and Independent schools), you seriously think that all Malaysians can unite? I'm sure it further tears the nation apart. I'm a Chinese yes, but I'm also a Malaysian! What I wish to see is all of us unite together rather than just Chinese unite together. I know some other races don't think that way and just want their 'Ketuanan', but not all of them are like that! Moreover, if people are selfish, does it mean that we should also be selfish? We should also play our part to unite the nation! Sometimes they are like that is probably because they get worried when the Chinese are over-protective of the pure Chinese Education policy. (I know some will say then we will get bullied and Chinese culture will die, that's another topic). It's like both sides are pulling the opposite ends of rubber band and if we pull further apart, in the end it will snap and both sides will get hurt. Both sides should learn to let go slowly. Don't just think of what people should do, think of what we can do.
People often compare Malaysia with other countries such as US. US can have an black President, they have more equal rights and so on...
Question here: do you see African Americans study / speak in their native language such as Afroasiatic?
Based on my studies on some sociology articles, I seriously believe to unite the nation, national language plays an important part.
Also, do you know that a lot of students don't mix together with other races just because they cannot communicate with them? And my experiences has taught me that among them, they will start forming groups against other races. If they have already developed a 'racist' mindset during younger stages and in their school years, it's really hard to change it even after they have learn how to speak the national language later because they don't understand other people's cultures and are less likely to tolerate.
The last part is what you might question earlier, why we should give in to Malay Language?
So what do you suggest to be used as National Language? Mandarin? Tamil? I know, you might say "English! like Singapore!"
Just try to imagine the situation the other way round: If Chinese people are the one who build up the civilization and Malays came later, do you really think the Chinese will agree if the Malays said they want English to become the National language?
Some still argue that Malays are not local. Please think rationally, if they are not local, do you seriously think throughout so many years, there are so many people speaking Malay? Please study comprehensive History before you want to argue this, don't just hear say.
I know nowadays, there are a lot of Malays are not 'local', many are from Indonesia. But if you study History, Malays are still the main people who build up the civilization in this land.
Even though a small group of Chinese also reached this land much earlier than what we know, but we are still from China originally and do not contribute as much as Malay in the early years.
Let's go back to the question above, people come to the country that you build up and ask you to change the national language, will you? If you say yes, then please try to go and persuade China to use English as national language.
I said all this not because I'm pro-Malay and dislike myself as a Chinese, I'm just trying to save the poor Chinese kids, and most importantly, to find a more reasonable solution for everyone to achieve unity in Malaysia.
(*P/S: I'm not a supporter of any political party, but if you want me to vote, I'll vote BN OUT! because obviously i'm 'Malaysian first, Chinese Second' ;) )
