Did anybody read what Khairy Jamaluddin wrote in the NST today?
For the first time ever, Malaysians who previously only read reports in newspapers or saw excerpts on the news were exposed to Umno uncut, unplugged.
For the first time, they followed every syllable, every word and every gesticulation from each speaker.
The ensuing “culture shock” is understandable. Never before have those on the outside had the opportunity to see what only delegates, observers and official media have seen in the past.
But what must be understood here is that, as far as Umno members are concerned, there was nothing unusual about this year’s debate.
Now that logically begs the question: If the rhetoric in Umno has always been like this, then shouldn’t non-Malays be even more worried since this is the norm?
The answer is an emphatic “no”.
I won’t guess how would the non-Malays or even the Malays answer that question. But what do you mean by no, Khairy?
To me, if the people in UMNO see such rhetoric as norm, then everything should be a whole lot more worrying. If we as a nation see such racist rhetoric as norm, then I fear the ground is already fertile for May 13, part two.
