Just before the 1999 general elections, the Chinese came out with a “shopping list” of what the government should look at. They were fair requests, but the ruling government took offense to these requests and labeled them as “demands”.

Recently, Dr Mahathir, again, brought up this same issue, which had already been resolved prior to the elections. He called the Chinese who put up the list as “Communists and extremists out to destroy the country”.

UMNO Youth organised a demonstration to condemn the Chinese and warned the Chinese of racial repercussions if they did not apologise and withdraw the demands. Though the Chinese tried to explain the matter had already been resolved, UMNO Youth refused to concede and insisted on the apology.

The Chinese decided they had had enough and turned to the opposition. The opposition stood by the 
Chinese, thereby throwing cold water on UMNO Youth’s rabble-rousing exercise.

The Chinese have declared their stand remains the same and they are not changing their tune. The 17 points are still on their list of requests. Mahathir replied that the government would not bow to any community’s demands and will stand firm.

The way I see it, it is now a checkmate. Where to from here?

What are these “notorious” 17 “demands” of the Chinese that is bringing us to the brink of a race war. How unreasonable are these “demands”. Are the Chinese getting too big for their shoes and pushing their luck?

Before we come to any conclusion, let us look at what the Chinese have asked for?

1. Encourage racial solidarity. Now this is a very noble request and something the government should support. If anything can tear this country apart it’s racial strife.

2. Increase democracy. This too I can agree to. Malaysia does, after all, have a very poor human rights record and is considered one of the more undemocratic countries.

3. Defend human rights and uphold justice. Is there anything wrong with this? Anwar Ibrahim and many other Malaysians have suffered human rights abuses, police brutality and unfair trials. This is definitely something Malaysia needs to improve upon.

4. Eradicate corrupt practices. Everyone knows Malaysia is one of the more corrupt countries in the world. From the Prime Minister down to the dogcatcher, corruption is rampant. Are the Chinese wrong in wanting a “cleaner” society?

5. Implement a fair economic policy. This is probably the “sore point” in the list. To do this would mean corruption, cronyism and nepotism have to end and a system based on merits be implemented instead. This was also Anwar Ibrahim’s main criticism of Mahathir. Mahathir probably took this point very personal and thought the Chinese were targeting this point at him.

6. Re-evaluate the privatisation policy. Again, privatisation has always been abused and projects have been awarded to friends and relatives under the guise of privatisation. This policy certainly needs to be changed, not just re-evaluated.

7. Implement an education policy that is more progressive and liberal. I am for this and so should all Malaysians. Education is, after all, the key to a more progressive and developed society so this is an important point.

8. Encourage the development of all cultures. Malaysia is rich in culture due to the diversity of its races. Each culture should be preserved and no particular culture should be exterminated in favour of another. I find nothing wrong with this request.

9. Protect the environment. I have no comments on this other than who can argue with this request?

10. Modernise and develop new villages. And what’s wrong with bringing villages out of the dark ages? Isn’t Malaysia supposed to be leading the IT revolution with its Multimedia Super-corridor?

11. Formulate a “House for Everyone” Policy. Homes are essential to the quality of life. Nothing deteriorates quality of life more than the homeless do. Malaysia needs homes for everyone. This is a good policy. The days when people live under cardboard boxes and bathe in drains should end.

12. Protect Women’s Rights. This is definitely Islamic. No one can go against this, especially not Mahathir who claims to be a Muslim.

13. A fair media. Something Malaysia does not yet have and needs very badly. I agree wholeheartedly to this request.

14. Restore the confidence of the people towards the police. Need I say more when the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia can be handcuffed and blindfolded and beaten to a pulp and people on the streets shouting “Reformasi” beaten silly.

15. Improve welfare. I am flabbergasted if this point turns the Chinese into Communists.

16. Respect workers’ rights. Does this point too make the Chinese Communists?

17. The last point deals with the aborigines’ income and all the Chinese ask is that they be helped to become self-reliant. Do we really want the Aborigines to continue living in reservations, depending on government handouts and food packages to survive? I suppose, since the government gets 92% of the Aborigines’ votes, keeping them in poverty and dependent on the government helps win elections.

Those are the “notorious” 17 “demands” from the “mischievous Communist” Chinese. I can see why Mahathir got very angry. It is extremely unreasonable of the Chinese to ask for a better country from the one we already have.

I let you be the judge of this. Do you find these requests revolting or would you support them?

RAJA PETRA KAMARUDIN