On this day, when those of the Muslim faith enjoin the forgiving of wrongs done, and to seek forgiveness for wrongs done unto others, I ask for forgiveness once again from every anak bangsa Malaysia who has been marginalised by the manner in which the New Economic Policy was implemented.
In my days of ignorance, I have received a study loan from a government programme reserved for Malays. I have also previously partaken of the Amanah Saham Bumiputra scheme. To the best of my recollection, this is the extent to which I have benefited from the NEP.
I have since ceased to partake in the Amanah Saham Bumiputra scheme.
I dissociate with any notion that my citizenship has greater value than anyone else’s on account of my Malay ancestry. I am firstly Malaysian. My Malay heritage in this regard bears no relevance whatsoever.
I am unable to divest myself of the benefit that I have taken from the NEP. I can only atone for this wrong by working with like-minded Malaysians to have implementated a new policy that is just and equitable to all Malaysians.
To my brothers and sisters in Sabah and Sarawak, I seek your forgiveness that for so long, under the guise of your nations being mere 12th and 13th states of Malaysia, you have been robbed of your dignity to self-govern, and of your God-given wealth, so much needed to uplift the lives of so many impoverished.
We may be 49 years late in honouring all that you were entitled to receive under the Malaysia Agreement, 1963, but this I pledge to you, that I will work with any and all of your local leaders who are determined to see your rights under that Agreement honoured, to deliver to you that which was promised to your forefathers in 1963.
Felix Cheam
August 19, 2012
Your conscience and commitment to social justice deserve much more than our forgiveness, brother. Heartfelt thanks and gratitude from me and my family for your continued sacrifice and struggle for all Malaysians. God bless you and yours, Haris.
Felix Cheam
August 19, 2012
Oh, and Maaf zahir dan batin for the times when our commitment and bravery do not match yours. For this we ask your forgiveness.
the mythbuster
August 19, 2012
Dear Haris, Wishing you and family: Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf zahir dan batin. You are doing a fantastic job with your ABU message. May the Almighty guide and bless you!
Taipan
August 19, 2012
Forgive and be free. Forget that you have forgiven and be freer. If we can look upon our work not for self-benefit, but as a means to benefit society, we will be practising appreciation and patience in our daily lives.
shakuntala
August 19, 2012
Nice thought to forgive and to be free..Totally humble, forgetting that you have forgiven..bravo Mr. Taipan.
Haris, your Hari Raya prayer for the people of Sabah and Sarawak is full of hope and promise…..it’s never too late.Your committment is already your success…
francis bondumar
August 19, 2012
Raya greetings Hais, and to all our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Lau Chin Jien
August 19, 2012
Dear Haris,
You owe non of us any apology. The work you had done and the effort you had put in made all of us Malaysian owe you big time. So no need to apologize.
To be frank, it’s pretty unfair to say that NEP benefited the Malays only because we all (I mean Malaysians) know that NEP only benefited mostly those cronies only. These cronies can be Chinese, Malay, Indian and whatever race you can think of.
I for one totally agree that we should help those Malaysian citizens who are still lagging behind.
May you and your family be well and happy always. Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to you and your family Haris. And I take this opportunity here to wish all the Muslims in Malaysia, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, maaf zahir dan batin.
Semoga Malaysia akan bertambah maju dengan lahirnya insan-insan yang berjiwa murni yang tidak lagi membezakan setiap rakyat Malaysia dari sudut warna kulit.
Jack Yong
August 19, 2012
Your commitment to ABU for all Malaysians, East & West, far outweigh any past wrong doings.The acceptance and following of ABU by right minded Malaysians is forgiveness shown to your dedication. Raya greetings to you and your family.
marie
August 20, 2012
Selamat hari raya adil fitri to you and your family, haris.
And to all muslim as well.
We should move forward, no need to apologise.
It is partly all our fault that we let BN regime get their way.
But now, enough is enough, its ABU ABU ABU.
Thank you instead for all your endeavours.
Wishing you health wealth n abudnance, bro.
Steven Ooi
August 20, 2012
Haris, I wish you and your family Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. ” Thank you” seemed so inadequate in expressing my heartfelt gratitude to you and your family for the immense sacrifice you have made for a better Malaysia. My utmost respect to you for your dedication and commitment to the cause of ABU. Semoga Allah mencurahi rahmat & berkatNya kepada mu.
Fei Wong
August 20, 2012
Your conviction and commitment to social justice and equality humbled me. Thank you for continuing with the struggle and for never losing hope and faith in the country. Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin.
Lakshmi
August 20, 2012
It takes a great man to say what you have said publicly. We are all victims of politics in this great country in one way or other, more so the non-Muslims .
Let’s all start anew with love and compassion in our hearts as true Malaysians. Wishing you and your loved ones and Malaysians of Muslim faith ” Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin “
Lluuung
August 20, 2012
A very Happy n Selamat Hari Raya to HARIS n Family !!!
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
August 20, 2012
Selamat Hari Raya, Haris Ibrahim, to you and yours
All the very best wishes from me.
As is usual, more power to you, Haris Ibrahim
Jimmy Law Chuan Aun
August 21, 2012
Selamat Hari Raya Haris!
kate
August 23, 2012
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Mr Harris & family! Forgive me, too, for being complacent and accepting this inequality, for lettng the injustices of the past 50 years happen. Thank you for ABU, your commitment and selflessness!
"Gugu",kinabalu
August 24, 2012
Sdra Haris,
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to you and to your family.As anak bangsa malaysia,we do not expect you to seek for forgiveness on those policies by the gov’t esp.the NEP.I believed you were just a teenager,a Uni.student when the NEP was introduced.You were not with them..Gugu !!!
Selamat hari rraya to you, too, bro
Ali Karim
August 26, 2012
Time for another party. I’ll be there http://youtu.be/QO7cVUcyd3k