Fascist Wannabes in Malaysia?

Malaysia can only grow more mature by learning to accept your opinions without the emotional backlash.

Shamil Norshidi, President of Kelab UMNO US East Coast, Stony Brook University

This letter is addressed to both Dr. Ridhuan Tee and his friendly neighbor Abdullah Zaik of ISMA.

After reading your opinions made public recently, I knew some grace time was necessary before writing any sort of response.

Now, about a week after, (in the midst of final exams), I have the privilege of writing to you with emotions put aside. In cooling down and taking a step back, it is more obvious to me that behind all the antagonistic, fear-packaged and unjustified claims, your arguments actually hold no weight in value. As such, I won’t waste my time trying to debate you. Instead, I have taken the liberty to read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin in hopes of sharing certain aspects that may be of benefit to you.

I’m not planning to be an addition to your long list of critics. Rather, I’m opting for the higher road; to help you. I recognize that both your perspectives could only have been developed through years of neglect, through years of your friends agreeing mindlessly. I hope that the following insights on open-mindedness will shed light on your behavior, that it will place your views into context and that it will pave immediate improvement to your social wellbeing.

Lets first look at Abdullah Zaik’s claims of a racial invasion. According to you Mr. Zaik, non-Malays have no say in the proposed implementation of hudud law because they aren’t full citizens. According to you Mr. Zaik, Malays should stand guard against the Malaysian Chinese population as they are foreign “trespassers,” looking to manipulate the so-called rightful owners of the land. This week, you think Jewish conspirators are trying to discredit your opinions by accusations of racism and extremism. Frankly, your ideals discredit themselves.

Again, I won’t try arguing with you because it seems you ring deaf to any other than yourself. But here’s a thought, perhaps your propositions come from your high neuroticism; your high and dangerous response to perceived threat. According to Rubin, someone with high neuroticism tends to have “very strong negative reactions- fear, anxiety, shame, guilt, disgust, sadness.” With this, it becomes understandable that you would see freedom, equality, and human rights as threats to Malaysia’s progress; ‘seeing enemies in your cereal eh?’ Perhaps also, your vast discomposure stems from an empty mind. As outlined by Rubin, when a person’s mind is unoccupied, “they tend to drift to anxious or angry thoughts,” they dwell on “unpleasant encounters and sad events,” which “leads to bad feelings.”

My advice for you Mr. Zaik would be to find a hobby. How about rereading the Quran? Maybe this time you’d see that your actions lie in contradiction to Islam, that your opposition towards Jews and non-Muslims goes against the practices of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). After all, was it not Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who proposed a constitution of coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims? Was it not the prophet that outlined a diverse community living in Medina, constructed to protect one another? What disjointed form of Islam have you been reading?

This next point pertains to Ridhuan Tee who has continued to propose that citizens unhappy in Malaysia pack their bags and leave. Well that’s stupid. I think your comments show a lot about your social courage (or lack thereof). According to Rubin, it is easy to criticize and ridicule something that may be found popularly awkward. In other words, it’s easy to look at the increasing number of temples and churches in Malaysia and feel intimidated; your natural reaction would be to antagonize. It takes a lot more courage however to embrace these institutions as symbols for the beautiful diversity that is Malaysia.

Mr. Tee, my advice would be to grow some social courage. Why not look at these colorful temples and grand churches welcomingly? You claim to defend Islam but Islam itself promotes the learning of different customs and cultures. I guess it’s also important to bring up the term “topper.” You are a “topper” Mr. Tee because you see yourself as a “know-it-all.” In your tone, in your unjustified confidence, you forget that these citizens you want rid of are unhappy because they love this country. They want what’s best for the country. How dare you propose migration. Learn to be Malaysian. Learn to take into account the opinions of your neighbors, learn to coexist towards a higher Malaysia. We are all born into different races and customs but we must all work harder to be Malaysian. One last thing. You seem to enjoy referencing Muhammad Ali, so here’s an Ali quote I think you might enjoy: “Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams – they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do – they all contain truths.”

I’ve tried my best to make this short letter absent of ridicule. My intentions truly are to help you both. I hope in these upcoming times you will continue to voice your views. Malaysia can only grow more mature by learning to accept your opinions without the emotional backlash.

 

Shamil Norshidi

President

Kelab UMNO US East Coast
Stony Brook University