Hone Harawira got me thinking about Malay rights and Maori rights, their similarities and differences?
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia publicly fronted over Hone Harawira's inflammatory email for the first time yesterday, saying his behaviour had been "unacceptable" and had prompted a flood of racist and abusive emails to the party.
She said neither she nor Pita Sharples would be attending a hui in Kaitaia today at which the party is due to decide on any disciplinary action against Mr Harawira. They would instead leave it to the party president and council members.
Mr Harawira had expected the co-leaders to attend and did not know they would not be until the media rang. He told the Herald it was disappointing that they would not be attending. He had understood today was chosen because it was the only day on which the co-leaders could attend.
It was to be the first time the co-leaders had met him since his email to Buddy Mikaere referring to "white mother f******" was made public.
It has resulted in at least 365 complaints to the Race Relations Commissioner. Both Mrs Turia and Prime Minister John Key expressed dismay at the impact the email and public reaction was having on race relations.
Click HERE for the rest of the report and related news links.
Of course there are numerous differences as I think the parallel to begin with ought to be more accurately "Orang Asli" rights and privileges as opposed to Malay rights and privileges since the the argument for these rights and privileges seems to based on indigenous people of the land. It seems to me that the many different Orang Asli tribes both from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak were certainly the earliest settlers in the current land called Malaysia, that can be traced historically.
Anyway, history politics, race relations and stuff like that are beyond my expertise so I won't even attempt to fool myself into pretending I understand in great depth the intricacies of the matter at hand.
Just to say that while many people in NZ are treading carefully so as to be as PC as possible, it is heartening to know that people of all races are not condoning this maverick Maori politician's words. Not just that, it would seem too that leading politicians from all the major parties, including the Maori party are united in condemning such words. Not a perfect country I know but it is to me something positive (I will not second guess the motives).
And also to say I wish that such sentiments are shared by Malaysians of all races and leaders of all the major political parties. We have too easily let off the hook leaders and people who make blatant hurtful racist remarks (and even worse, racist based threats)!
BTW, I actually do think there is a place for race based special rights and privileges in order to help give more opportunities to those from certain races who have been for generations neglected and are poverty stricken in order to help them break the poverty cycle. I guess my own issue or concern is how race based policies are implemented. Still thinking about this ....
Updated 13th Nov:
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