PUTRAJAYA must have the political will to dismantle unjust laws and policies within its system so as to attract more -non-Malays to join the civil service, particularly the military.
“Don’t waste time setting up task force or committees to probe the matter. The reality is that the prevailing political situation is hardly conducive for a more progressive thinking enter the foray so as to increase non-Malay recruits in the armed forces.
“Even if the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) is ready for a more balanced recruitment, will the Government allow it?” queried Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof P Ramasamy in a statement.
Earlier today, Lam Choong Wah former fellow at the Research for Social Advancement Centre, said that lack of promotion chances was hindering non-Malays from joining the ATM.
Calling it an institutional problem, Lam urged the Government to establish a panel led by the Defence Ministry (Mindef) secretary-general to rectify systemic issues and formulate a blueprint to address the problem.
“According to a 2009 parliamentary reply, Chinese and Indians accounted for 0.3% and 0.9% respectively of active personnel in the armed forces.
“The reasons for this ‘have already been identified by the top brasses’,” Free Malaysia Today reported him a saying.
Touching on the matter, Ramasamy said that institutionalised racism is pervasive in the public service and is debilitating non-Malays from going up the ranks.
Even if there are opportunities for the non-Malays to join ATM or the civil service, the very notion that “things are stacked up against them” in the form institutional racism prevent their entry.
“What is the point of setting up a task force when the problem is so obvious for everyone to see? Even if the panel is established, do you think they will touch the sensitive subject called institutionalised racism prevalent in public service?
“The thing is, I’m sure senior officers, Malays and non-Malays, are aware of the problem but refuse to speak of it publicly for obvious reasons,” he mentioned.
Political will needed
Ramasamy clarified that while institutionalised racism was preventing non-Malays from entering ATM, he did not mean there were racial animosity within its rank and file.
“In fact, the level of integration and camaraderie are high among the different ethnic members of the armed forces.
“I would even say that integration and good relationship among the different members of the country’s security forces is high compared to other public institutions,” the DAP leader stated.
However, Ramasamy explained, the armed forces is not an independent entity but has to operate within the confines of Government policies, which prioritised Malay participation.
“Despite having good intentions, ATM is not in the position to rectify the racial imbalance within its system. It requires political will from the Government.” – April 12, 2022
