Three Malaysian Organisations

May I refer to your last issue a letter about the Rankine Brown Philosophy in which the plight of the Malaysian students in deciding their association with the existing social groups like MSA. MSSA and OCF was raised I would like to give my view on the evaluation of these three bodies.

Firstly on the MSSA, it is very obvious that it has gradually emerged to play a significant role in our community. The response of the students reflected from the letters to 'Salient' has indicated to some extent that this body has been most able to cater generally to the aspirations of the Malaysian and Singaporean students, I personally admire the hard work of those active students who have been making self sacrifices to promote an atmosphere never existed before in Wellington. May I congratulate them for the success they have achieved so far.

On OCF, I would like to give my comments as a person who was nearly 'crucified' in there. After reading the report on Anti-Cut Back campaign progress in last issue of 'Salient' which reported that OCF had not committed it's stand. I am now further convinced that OCF should be the focus of criticism by all fellow students rather than MSA. I was once associated with the OCF and I must say that it's successive leaderships have indeed succeeded in making the members, particularly the new students, 'sing away their frustration": more shrewdly making them oblivious of the most urgent problems in the community such as demand for better welfare, anti-cutbacks etc.

There is really very little chance for the members to make contacts with the 'outside world' once they are in there as the tight schedule of activities stretch your spare time to the fullest limit, not to mention about the indoctrination the leadership instills in you to make you prejudiced against certain social groups before you even have the chance to find out for yourself. It is hence very difficult for a new student once joined OCF to break thru' the circle simply for fear of social ostracism.

I strongly urge the OCF members to be more critical of what their leadership is leading them into and not let their critical faculties overshadowed by personal obligation. I won't be surprised if the OCF leader's refusal to commit any stand on this cutback issue is without any consultation with it's members.

Lastly on MSA, I must admit that my opinion on it's committee was one of utter disgust until it decided to support the Anti-cutback campaign. This year MSA's leadership obviously lacks the far-sightedness in it's decision to boycott the ISC and also had been naughty in attacking MSSA. Hopefully next year's leadership is in the bands of more capable students.

To sum up, I believe OCF is the most developed of the three bodies and is therefore the biggest obstacle in the way of Malaysian and Singaporean students in any campaign against unjust practices. On the other hand I sincerely look forward to full co-operation between MSSA and MSA next year.

Finally, I would like to make small criticism on MSSA that they lack wide publicity. I am sure not many students are aware of this group of students preparing to genuinely serve the community. Moreover, there is currently an apparent attempt by a few, to make use of certain ignorant students to furtively carry out an informal smearing campaign against these sincere students. I was recently told by a chap (who had not been to any of MSSA activities) that MSSA is a leftist organisation. There are indeed other evidences to prove that a smearing campaign is going on endeavouring to nip the bud of this good and growing plant. I hope that the MSSA committee members are aware of it. I urge all fellow students are more vigilant and not allow themselves misled by these students going from one flat to another telling all fellow students that MSSA is 'leftist', 'Communist' etc. I hate to further comment that one of these students is my friend. I think he and his other accomplices should first make an attempt to communicate with MSSA committee members before forming any opinion.

Ex-OCF member