"In The Court Of The Crimson King" by King Crimson

Breaking out in cold sweat, Chen Mian Kuang shares with us his nightmares about this coming Bill.

"In The Court Of The Crimson King" by King Crimson

Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has said that the Government intends to table a Race Relations Bill in Parliament in March 2012. Our Bill will be based on the one in the UK, and is to replace the Internal Security Act.

Any genuine Race Relations Bill must be based on the fundamental principle that all races are equal. From that principle flows the do’s and don’ts that make up the Bill. However, our Government has a congenital difficulty in accepting such a principle. To expect them to propose a Bill which will treat all races equally is highly unrealistic.

Like what happened for the Peaceful Assembly Bill, I am fearful that the contents of the Race Relations Bill will be a perversion of the spirit of equality that is hinted at by its title.

I anticipate provisions that will make it an offence to question Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, even though the ever-extending remit of that Article beyond its express wordings as propounded by certain factions is a genuine source of concern for those adversely affected.

I foresee clauses aimed at prohibiting debate on the “social contract”, a nebulous concept dressed in academic / pseudo-legal doublespeak introduced in recent years to rewrite history.

Some may say that my fears are premature as we do not know what the contents of the proposed Bill are yet. My answer is simple – by the time we know, it will be too late! Remember the Peaceful Assembly Bill? How its contents were only made known around the time it was tabled in Parliament? And after that, rushed through and passed despite the intense criticism from civil society?

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Mian‘s favourite musician is Lord Bobo. His Supreme Eminenceness is well known for his ability to play a total of 25 instruments, and to compose, perform, and produce albums all by himself. A veritable...

9 replies on “Race Relations Bill: Be Afraid, Very Afraid”

  1. Regarding early education facility, teacher and parents should have knowledge of giving every supports for the language and literacy learning of the children. Teachers and caregivers need to have sufficient skills to guide children in order to give exact support to children’s language and literacy efforts.

Comments are closed.