A response to Zaid Ibrahim: The Chinese will make the Malays stronger
on Cultural Change
Zaid: What the Malays need is a huge cultural and outlook change in life. Malay leaders must energise this movement of cultural change so that Malays and Muslims are better equipped to face challenges.
Ans: What the Chinese need is a huge and deeper introspective change in life. Chinese leaders must invoke this movement of inward-to-outward change so that the Chinese are better equipped to live among Melayus.
Zaid: The Chinese are known for treating everything as a business, for attaching an economic value to their relationships with others and for not yielding an inch unless they have to. Instead of being angry with those who have this philosophy of life, the Malays should emulate this business approach. They should abandon their own laidback and trusting outlook and be more business-like. The Malays need to foster a suitable dose of competitive spirit within themselves, and learn the art of weighing their options in a manner that’s smart and well-informed. I believe the Malays will be stronger if they focus their energy on being competitive instead of being angry.
Ans: The Malays are known for treating almost everything with suspicion, so relying on guanxi (关系), on personal relationships, on attaching a private value to their relationships with others and for not yielding an inch unless they derive benefit. Instead of being cynical with those who have this philosophy of life, the Chinese should understand this personal approach. They should abandon their own cynical and distrusting outlook and be more amiable. The Chinese need to foster a suitable dose of generosity in thinking about the Malays, and learn the finer art of guanxi, which is after all a part of their traditions before liberalism poisoned it. One believes the Chinese will be accommodating if they redirect their energy to being reachable instead of being contemptuous.
