Larger Table or Big Umbrella?

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad (“MM”), has reminded us that Malays must unite under a “big umbrella.” That they are weak, their future hangs on the hinges of political protection and communal shelter. It’s a familiar script. Repeated by this man for decades. People have changed and moved on. On the ground, people are reasonable to each other whether they are Malays or otherwise. Many have no problem to share meals together. 

The Malays don’t need to be told they are weak. They need to be reminded that they are already strong and getting even better. They don’t need protection from others. They need protection with others - from the real threats of corruption, rising costs, broken institutions, and educational inequality.

 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

They don’t need to be frightened into a corner by leaders who insist that unless they huddle under a (racial) umbrella, they will perish. They are a confident race and could conquer the world if you let them. So, sell hope not despair. Sell courage instead of fear. Sell achievements not disasters! 

MM’s “big umbrella” narrative is not protection but more like a cage. Under that umbrella, there’s no room for unity, only fear of the rain. But Malaysia has changed. The people are learning to walk in the rain, together. Are Malays weak when they control all levers of power – legislative, executive and judiciary. Not to mention the police, army and the civil service. 

We are not blind to the reality of race in this country. We know there are wounds. We know there is history. But what good is history if it becomes a prison? Malaysia is now a nation where a Malay woman can lead a multiracial NGO, a Chinese boy can learn silat, an Indian girl can top the SPM charts and speak excellent Bahasa Malaysia, and a Bidayuh Christian can break fast with his Muslim neighbours. This is not a fantasy. It’s already happening - in schools, workplaces, food courts, and yes, even in Parliament on a good day. 

They (the Malays) need the same things as everyone else needs - education that liberates, healthcare that heals, leaders who lead, not lecture. They don’t need to be told who they are. They already know. Instead of building walls of division, let us build bigger tables. Let us teach our children to pass the sambal, not suspicion and maybe we adults can learn a thing or two from them (the children). 

Malaysia will not rise under a big umbrella. But it will rise when we sit together - Indian, Chinese, Malay, Iban, Kadazan, Orang Asli - and share the same plate, the same pain, the same hope. And when we finally learn to do that, Malaysian spirit will rise to overcome the challenge on a badminton court or in a football game. That’s how nations are built MM not by racial or religious division. If you don’t believe, go to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Northern Ireland and see for yourself the fissures of race and religion.

 

Reference:

COMMENT | Malays need larger table, not big umbrella, Joseph Masila many, Malaysiakini, 10 June 2025