Irresponsible statements are not acceptable because we cannot deny the fact that Malaysia should be peaceful and orderly, developed by Malays, Chinese, Indians, the Dayak, Iban, Melanau and Kadazan ethnic groups and others.
– Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
I would generally joke that it is time to buy popcorn, sit back and watch the political comedy-drama show again.
However, this time I think sitting back and laughing is inappropriate. It seems that the political temperature in the context of race and religion is moving in a direction not conducive to stability.
The gravity of the current political climate regarding race and religion cannot be overstated. The tension is palpable, and it is not a time to sit back and take things lightly.
I do not intend to be an alarmist at all. In fact, and in reality, everyone all over the nation is doing what they usually do in their everyday life, and we are fortunate that there are no visible signs of strife.
The stakes are higher than ever before, and the consequences of inaction could be dire. To this end, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently said that he has placed the national security apparatus on alert for any signs to destabilise the nation.
Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah and Penang will hold their state polls in the second half of this year as their terms expire by then.
In this context, preparations have begun in earnest to woo voters. Part of this includes efforts to create false and negative narratives created by irresponsible political parties and individuals.
These narratives are designed to cause irrational discontent in some segments of society. This is akin to gathering and stacking firewood so that even a tiny spark may set it alight.
In such a situation, previous attitudes of apathy or amusement are no longer acceptable.
The twice-former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been stirring the proverbial political pot to bring it to a boiling point.
He has been playing the race and religion card again, indicating that he is bankrupt of original ideas.
Dr Mahathir is renowned for his Machiavellian tactics. He is now gearing up to join forces with Perikatan Nasional, in a blatant attempt to stoke the flames of animosity and suspicion among the masses.
Notorious for his divisive strategy of sowing confusion and discord to either gain or maintain his grip on power, Dr Mahathir is once again resorting to his tried and tested approach of spreading hatred and mistrust at the expense of all others.
He does not seem to have any qualms about causing chaos, especially among the various races.
For him, race and religion seem to be mere tools to exploit for personal gain. However, he deviously packaged it in a manner that appears to show that he is fighting for the downtrodden Malays.
Economics Minister Rafizi Ramli has urged the public to avoid being ensnared by PN’s dangerous tactics of exploiting religious and racial differences.
This is a commendable stance. It comes at a time when there have been deliberate efforts to stir up anger among some Malay-Muslim majority against the government.
His call for restraint and unity is a much-needed voice of reason that promotes harmony and understanding among all members of society.
It demonstrates a commitment to protecting all Malaysians’ rights, regardless of ethnicity or religion, and rejecting hateful politics.
Anwar’s recent call to use the law against political rivals who fan ethnic and religious flames also signals a willingness to take concrete action to address the problem.
Overall, this is a positive development for Malaysia’s political landscape, as it shows a growing recognition of the need to address issues related to race and religion responsibly and constructively.
However, how much is showmanship and how much is reality is yet to be seen
In Sarawak, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has at various times condemned bigots and extremists. He has pledged to safeguard religious freedom and reject the extremism that could disrupt the harmony of Sarawak’s multi-racial and religious communities.
He acknowledged that Sarawak’s immigration autonomy effectively prevents the entry of religious extremists. Still, he also cautioned against the danger of extremist ideologies spreading through social media.
Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah recently criticised PAS MP Ahmad Yunus Hairi for his comments urging the government to refrain from building non-Muslim places of worship near mosques and to avoid sensitivities, calling the views ‘extreme’ and not in line with Islamic teachings.
Abdul Karim called for an end to such divisive rhetoric. He emphasised the need for interfaith harmony in Malaysia, adding that those promoting hate must be held accountable and should learn from the history of peaceful coexistence in Sabah and Sarawak.
It is reassuring that Sarawak’s leaders have made pledges supporting racial and religious coexistence.
However, a few little Napoleons in positions of authority attempt to undermine it occasionally. There are also apathetic ones who dare not oppose bigotry for the benefit of their own political skin. I can attest to this through personal experience.
So, we still need to keep up our guard to ensure there is no slippery slope towards disunity. Politicising any religion for personal or political gain, rather than actually practising it, is abhorrent in all its forms.
In the meantime, let’s hope the efforts in Malaya successfully maintain peace in Malaysia overall and prevent the spreading of the politics of hate.
We need constant shots across the bow or, to put it plainly, fire warning shots to remind or deter bigots not to harm the delicate fabric of our society here.
Do your part and do not get influenced by bigots of any ilk.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
