The Malays, he said, hold the most influence in the majority of institutions in the country.
“If you look at the major institutions in the country and almost every sector such as the judiciary, civil service, police, religion, culture, language and political arena, it’s the Malays who dominate and they will decide the course of the country.
“The big questions in this country will have to be answered mainly by the Malays,” said Lim, who launched his book titled Challenging Malaysia’s Status Quo at the KL Regional Centre for Arbitration earlier today.
However, he said this did not mean that the non-Malays were insignificant.
“It doesn’t mean that non-Malays don’t have a role. I think our role will be much more important.”
Lim, who is Centre of Policy Initiatives (CPI) chief executive, said within the Malay community, there were those who were more “quiet”.
“I believe that there are moderates, liberals, fair-minded multiracial-oriented Malays, and there are a large number of them.
“We need to continue working with them.
“We cannot play racial games, not because of the numbers but because it is the wrong game to play.”
Meanwhile, law professor Azmi Sharom, who was present at the panel discussion at the book launch, agreed that given the context in Malaysia, the majority group would have a larger influence on issues.
“This is why the government has been so consistent in ensuring that our education system does not promote dissent,” he said.
“Our government loves nothing better than to undermine our confidence.
“They tell us we are easily confused and we are simple and that without them, we will not survive. They want us to be treated like children and to believe that we are children.”
The government, he said, wanted the people to be dependent on Umno – “without Umno, I’m doomed and have no capacity to take care of myself and my family”.
However, Azmi said the perception that the people were “confused children” would not last much longer as the youth now had access to alternative information.
“When I first started teaching, it was quite rare to see youths who had an alternative view other than what had been put forth in the mainstream media.
“Now, they already know the stuff I’m talking about and they know what it feels like or what it could be like to live in a society that is much more open.
“The social norm to be kept down intellectually cannot last any longer,” he said.
Reject dogmas of racial and religious dominance, urges author