The time bomb I spoke about years ago

So, once again, I am telling you, you decide what you want. However, from the way things are going, it appears like you want a fight. And that is precisely what you are getting. So let’s be very honest about it. Is this just what Umno wants or is this what everyone wants? Because I am seeing racism from both sides of the political divide.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Dr Mahathir condemns violent Low Yat brawl

No pride in May 13, Rafidah Aziz tells young Malaysians after Low Yat fracas

Low Yat riot exposes precarious racial situation — Farouk A Peru

Achieving Malaysia’s potential — Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah

Those were just some of the many news items and opinion pieces yesterday that addressed the worrying state of affairs in Malaysia, in particular regarding race and religion.

Do you know I have spoken about this before? But when I spoke about it I was condemned for being a racist. They would rather I not talk about it. And if I do talk about it that means I am a racist.

So, many prefer I do not talk about it. And if I do not talk about it the problem will go away. Malaysia will not face the danger of race and religion conflict.

I suppose it is like these same people who do not want me to talk about the problems in Pakatan Rakyat. They would rather I not mention that the agree-to-disagree dogma of Pakatan Rakyat is going to result in problems in the future and cause the breakup of the coalition. If I do not talk about it then it will not happen. If I do talk about it that means I am anti-opposition and pro-government.

Well, did Pakatan Rakyat not break up after all and did it not break up because they could no longer agree to disagree but just disagreed? And how would not reminding you that Malaysia is a race and religion time bomb prevent something like what happened over the weekend at Low Yat Plaza from happening?

I have a friend who said he does not want to go for a cancer check-up in case he actually does have cancer. If he did have cancer he would rather not know about it. I suppose it makes him happy not knowing that he may be in trouble.

Another friend was diagnosed with cancer and in just four months he died. He did not know he had cancer until it was too late to do anything about it. They could not even give him chemotherapy treatment because he was in such bad shape and his cancer was too advanced.

So we have a choice. We can avoid knowing the truth until it is too late and just let the worst happen. Or we can find out what is wrong, if something is indeed wrong, and do something about it before it is too late.

Malaysians are like those who fear cancer. They do not like to hear me say that Malaysia is a time bomb waiting to go off. They would rather hear me say that it is impossible for any race or religion conflict to break out in Malaysia. And if I were to say otherwise they would scream, “Raja Petra is a racist!”

Some are beginning to admit the problem. Some are even beginning to identify the problem. But they point to Umno and say that this is all Umno’s fault. It is because of Umno that Malaysia faces the risk of race and religion conflict.

Pointing to Umno and blaming Umno is not going to prevent a race and religion conflict from happening. Blame games never do achieve anything. So who was responsible for May 13? Was it the Chinese or was it the Malays? Would it change anything whoever happens to win this argument? It still did happen and it still can happen again whoever wins the blaming argument.

For a conflict to not happen we have to not want it to happen. But judging by the comments in the social media and online news portals that does not appear to be what people want. What appears to be what people want is a conflict.

There is just so much we can get away with. You can post hate messages on the Internet only up to a certain extent before something breaks. And Malays, Chinese, Indians and those from East Malaysia have been too free with their hate messages. Did you think eventually it would not reach breaking point?

I have said this before and I am going to say it again. The choice is yours. If you are spoiling for a fight then you will get a fight. But from the way I see it Malaysians of all races are spoiling for a fight. So if you do get one then don’t bitch, moan, groan and grumble. It is what you asked for. And what you ask for you finally get.

So, once again, I am telling you, you decide what you want. However, from the way things are going, it appears like you want a fight. And that is precisely what you are getting. So let’s be very honest about it. Is this just what Umno wants or is this what everyone wants? Because I am seeing racism from both sides of the political divide.