I know, the title of this post just doesn’t make sense to most of you, but I was stunned to hear racist statements coming from fellow Malaysians who are shallow in their thinking. Why? We all know the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and now spreading fast to other parts of the world, especially in North America. The thing is swine flu caused by H1N1 virus (almost similar to H5N1, Avian Flu) is not something new. Most animals can be infected with respiratory disease just like human. Similarly, swine flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs and caused by type A influenza viruses.
Prior to the sudden outbreak in Mexico, reports on swine flu infection on human were documented but they were very rare just like avian flu. What causes the major outbreak is still under investigation, though some experts have suggested that pig farmers in Mexico are trying to cut cost by not using influenza vaccine to prevent swine flu on their pigs.
Now, what pisses me off is that in Malaysia, some people are trying to link swine flu with pork eaters (to be exact, non-Muslims) by spreading racist statements. I personally heard a mid-30 woman said (translated) "Never mind, we won’t get swine flu because we don’t eat pork. Let them die with their pork!" And another guy supported her by saying "Yeah, who ask them to open so many pig farms, now they deserve it!". The most annoying statement followed after that (which I don’t want to translate) "Babi betul lah babi ni, sama juga orang babi! Bagi mampos semua!" I was very very angry yet I just keep quiet because I was not in the mood to confront them at that time, was busy with some urgent matters.
But tell me, don’t you think those statements are racist? And coming from two people who are supposed to be educated, reflect just how far our nation has grown into. First and foremost, swine flu virus is airborne, meaning it can spread through air and not transmitted by food. Just because you don’t take pork, doesn’t mean you’re safe from swine flu! Second, why are those people so happy when other people are suffering from the disease? You think they want it to happen? My goodness…. Maybe they are just among the very few who have such shallow thoughts, but hearing it just hurt your ears especially in a nation that promotes racial harmony and tolerance. At the very least, we show some sympathy towards those are infected and not diverting it to some petty issues like pork eaters or pig farmers. Sad, but it’s perhaps a reality that we need to face.
You can refer to CDC website on Swine Flu or Mnistry of Health Malaysia for more info.
(Pictures courtesy of AFP)
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Welcome to Malaysia, my friend. Racism has always existed here, and virtually impossible to get rid of, especially since racism is encouraged and promoted throughout society. I have already accepted racism as part and parcel of everyday life. Human mentality is the hardest thing to change, and racism itself has been so strongly ingrained into us Malaysians. Talk about racial harmony? *yawn* Lets talk about something new now, shall we?
Aha, I don't believe you have lived in other parts of the world. Try China, Japan and even good ole USA :)) Malaysia is the 10th WORLD ALCOHOL consuming country in the world. If you go there, you will see people dressed like they were tanning at the beach. Very inappropriate for city life. Considering the Muslims are rather bashful, don't eat pork and are teetolaters, this country is oozing in provocative (mostly non_Muslim wear) outfits, pork consumption abounds and alcohol flows freely. I would think that is highly tolerant of the Muslim majority. You win some, you lose some. Enjoy what privileges you get, be grateful, and work with the locals. Don't go around tattling about the good people of any city you live in. Enjoy!
I think it's a perfectly acceptable title for an article. It's eye-catching, and if anybody bothers to actually read through the article, it condones racism. Good work!
@ Bob, I agree with you.
It takes some serious ignorance to say statements like that. It's embarrassing for the races and religions of these people, seeing how its represented by people like that.
A friend of mine said (after reading this post);
"When it's swine flu, it's everybody else's fault, but when it's BIRD flu, it's fine.."
Just goes to show how messed up people are with their attributions. Down with racism!
Yeah I guess shallow thought people annoys us sometimes or should I say most of the time. Racism isn't new and certainly not just in Malaysia. Recently, I faced the same situation but totally different motive. Its best not to mention it here as it will create unnecessary hot topic, nonetheless we ought to think futher than our scope of thought. If its so hard to exclude religion or race, just respect other human being coz we gotta abide to law of nature.
It is a sad affair that after 52 years of Independence, we still come across some idiots who link swine flu with pork eaters. They idiots are also Malaysians , and I cant help except to laugh thinking about the them. These barbarians should live in cave eating raw food.
Raul de Souza, and your course of action is to denigrate a people? Very civilized indeed. And eating raw food would make many sushi lovers happy, just for the record :) Chill, and enjoy! Life is short, travel a lot and take it easy!
waaaa...racist issue..i like it..bila laa nak terjadi pergaduhan kaum nii....31 mei race war 2...... hehehe .... singkirkan kaum minority ^.^..inilah cita-cita aku
hahaha...singkirkan kaum minority? Mampuslah Malaysia.
Nice article.
Terrence
wow gold
Did you know??in Indonesia...approximately 100 chinese girl being raped and tortured until die in 1998 crisis...you should be proud to be Malaysian..actually...what i want to know is...you are Malaysian rite?why do you have to be like a China citizen...why do u have to study chineese language??Why do there are so many ethnic school like chinese,indian, and others in Malaysia,,,i think that we should just open one type of school that is sekolah kebangsaan which use Bahasa Melayu as their tounge language...if you all chinese or indian just being the rakyat Malaysia..i think none of this racism will happen...just look at the army...how many chinese people in the army??how many chinese people in the police??i have never seen untill now chinese wearing malaysian army uniform.are all agree that if i said if war happen in Malaysia..the chinese or indian people will run rather than protecting Malaysia..you all not have patriotism in your heart...you all still think your a migrant..if you..chinese or indian want Malay to respect you...you just have to be Malaysian...thats all...not being china or India citizen..ok??
Another things...i always want to be friend with the chinese...but sometmes...i think that they insult me...they always start a group of disscussion with only their ethnic...when i want to join themmmthey will laugh and talk with each other with chinese language...so...this what i think that they maybe insult me...that why many Malay have a little racism in their heart,,,ok?