Special Minister for Chinese Affairs?

Malaysiakini has a report that there are plans to create a Cabinet portfolio for a Special Minister for Chinese Affairs. Blogger Raison D'etre has also alluded to this possibility.

What the heck?

For the life of me, I cannot see the rationale for this special ministry.

Malaysiakini speculates that Ng Yen Yen will be this special minister.

Why have a Chinese Affairs ministry?

What about the Malays, Indians, Kadazans, Iban, Bidayuh, Kelabit, Kedayan, Orang Sungai, Bajau, Senoi, Negrito, Jakun and all other suku kaum?

What about the golongan kurang upaya?

What about the warga tua?

There will be no end to the requests for special ministers.

The clarion call for One Malaysia must mean exactly that; a colour blind, non-discriminatory, fair, unbiased, equal scheme of things.

Having a Special Minister of Chinese Affairs is so way out of alignment with the idea of One Malaysia that it screams out all the wrong signals.

But, as always, what do I know?

I have, however, read what was reported; that, The "One Malaysia" concept emphasises mutual respect and trust among all the ethnic groups in the country, which Najib describes as the pillar for the process of national solidarity.

Najib said the effort must be carried out with the full awareness of the government and the people in all the programmes implemented.

"This concept must be translated into action, government programmes ... for example, the allocations for Chinese and Tamil schools be given directly to the school boards.

"No ethnic group should feel marginalised in terms of government policies and programmes," he said.

He said the Bumiputeras should also be given assistance because they still lagged behind ... but the effort should be carried out fairly, both for the Bumiputeras and the non-Bumiputeras.