Looking beyond race
Tricia Yeoh
ANY right-thinking Malaysian should be increasingly disturbed by recent incidents that are rocking the multiethnic boat. These events coalesce in our minds into one thing: the nation is riddled with racialist individuals.
While Malaysia battles with numerous other problems, ethnic relations is considered the primary wild animal to tame, and rightly so, since without equality of opportunity what pride can one take in one’s birth country?
The feeling of helplessness and disquiet is of course not new. Yes, recently a cow head was stomped on to protest against the building of a temple in a Muslim-majority area (cows are sacred to the Hindus). Yes, certain newspapers allow opinion pieces that read, “nothing can stand in the way of ensuring only Malay and Muslim rights are defended”. While one does not want to dilute the severity and gravity of these, Malaysians should not be particularly shocked.
Official policy in Malaysia already sets the fertile ground upon which ethnocentrism can grow and flourish. This has been debated at length, and many view the country’s socio-economic policies as being unable to contribute constructively towards building a united nation.
The unfettered overzealousness in ensuring the advancement of a particular ethnic group turned sour over the years, never mind that the constitution actually emphasises the well-being of all ethnic groups equally. Our race-based political structure does not help either, and has in fact proven instrumental in promoting division.
The nation stands confused and bewildered in the wake of irrational attitudes towards race, a tragedy indeed as we celebrate 46 years of Malaysia’s formation today. Our frail attempts at national unity seem to have all but shattered.
What has become of mutual respect, understanding and compassion towards the other, all of which form fundamental elements of every religion? What should we make of sloganeering 1Malaysia when with one hand we cradle the platitudes of various motherhood statements, and with the other we fan the flames of racist sentiment?
