E Contrario

Marginalization is a buzz word now. It is actually quite a mouthful trying to pronounce but the magic word managed to get so many people upset.

Earlier Gerakan was upset with Khairy talking about marginalization of Malay in Penang. Lately Umno got pretty upset with Lee Kuan Yew for commenting on marginalization of Chinese in Malaysia, as well as in Southeast Asia. As expected, Umno accuses Lee Kuan Yew for insulting Malay(sia) again.

Wira Melayu like Hishamuddin Onn definitely sees this is another opportunity to raise his keris. Pak Lah is a bit more humble, he admits that he does not understand the meaning of word and most likely the concept of marginalization, therefore he is writing a letter to Lee Kuan Yew to seek explanation.

Unfortunately not all Umno leaders are as honest as Pak Lah. From their response, one would think that marginalization is some sort of offensive four-letter-words.

What does marginalization means? It simply describes a process where certain groups of people are disadvantaged and pushed to the periphery.

Marginalization happens in all societies. In any model of development, the tendency is that those less powerful would be discriminated, sidelined or neglected.

Marginalization can be ‘actual’ or ‘perceived’. ‘Actual’ or ‘real’ marginalization is based on objective facts. In other words, the evidence of marginalization can be demonstrated with quantifiable data. Some categories of social entities are self-evidently marginalized groups, e.g. squatters, urban ghetto dwellers, rural poor, low-income earners, refugees, disabled, etc. They are by definition marginalized and certainly need special attention to minimize injustices.

On the other hand, there are also people who feel or see themselves as marginalized. Many social/cultural/religious minorities experience marginalization in a different way. Their perception of being excluded might not be directly measurable by statistics. Most often than not marginalization comes in one full package; but at times different forms of marginalization can exist separately. For example, one community can be socially or culturally marginalized yet economically well off. Certain dominant ethnic groups could also be politically powerful but economically marginalized.

Sometimes the perception or feeling of people can be more powerful moving force than the so-called “actual”.

The tragic thing about Malaysia is that our SYSTEM (be it social, political or economic) makes everyone feel alienated and marginalized. Unless the system is changed, this sentiment will be perpetuated and there is no end to it.