I live in a country called Malaysia. It is honestly a wonderful place to live in. It's a multicultural country that is filled with chill and friendly people, our weather isn't too extreme and we're safe from most natural disasters. However, like every other country, we have our flaws and one of those biggest flaws is the constitutional racism that is constantly politicized and used against its own citizens.

Malaysia is made up of three main ethnicities: Malay, Chinese and Indian. When I talk about constitutional racism in Malaysia, it describes the systematic discrimination against the minority ethnic groups (mainly the Chinese and Indian minorities) while the Malays/'bumiputeras' (natives) get certain rights and privileges purely for what they were born as despite the Chinese and Indian minorities having been part of Malaysia way before its independence. 

The roots of constitutional racism in Malaysia can be traced back to the country's colonial past. During British rule, policies such as the divide and rule strategy and the implementation of the British "indirect rule" system exacerbated ethnic tensions and entrenched inequalities among the various communities. These policies laid the groundwork for the ethnic-based affirmative action programs that were later enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution.

The Malaysian Constitution, promulgated in 1957, and subsequently amended, contains provisions that institutionalize preferential treatment for the Malay majority through policies known as the Bumiputera policies. These policies aim to uplift the socio-economic status of Malays and other indigenous groups, but they often come at the expense of the rights and opportunities of the ethnic Chinese and Indian communities.

One of the most contentious aspects of constitutional racism in Malaysia is the system of racial quotas in education, government employment, and business ownership. Under the New Economic Policy (NEP) introduced in 1971, a series of affirmative action measures were implemented to increase Malay participation in these sectors. While these policies initially sought to address economic disparities resulting from historical injustices, they have since been criticized for perpetuating ethnic divisions and hindering the country's economic progress by stifling meritocracy and innovation.

As someone who is a minority in this country and is affected by the systemic discrimination, I think the biggest feeling I had ever felt regarding it was resentment. I am a rule-abiding, tax-paying citizen. If anyone were to ask me where I am from, I would say that I am Malaysian, not Chinese. Yet, my own country/government discriminates against me, limiting me from attending certain universities, limiting me from getting certain types of government funds/loans, limiting me from feeling like a true citizen. I have to deal with racism from people who tell me to 'go back to China' despite my family having been here for generations. I have to deal with people who say that I should be grateful for even being "allowed" to continue living here and not being chased out despite contributing equally if not more to the country. I have to wake up everyday to news of people politicizing race when there is so much more that my country can tackle and improve. And it's so frustrating because it feels like there isn't much that I can do and sometimes it feels like the country is regressing when it comes to this sensitive topic instead of potentially improving. 

Growing up, I was always told by my parents to leave my country when I could because there was no hope for the minorities, that the country was only going to get worse and it's so discouraging. Nothing will ever beat home and running away to another country is easier said than done. While I don't think it will ever happen in my lifetime, I do hope that the main discriminatory policies will be reversed because I think that only then will Malaysia be able to move forward and realize its full potential as a powerhouse in South East Asia

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