We must dismantle race-based policies
My article was earlier published in TheAntDaily.com on 17/10/2014
After more than 57 years of independence, it is indeed sad that we have yet to achieve the much desired one-nation and one-identity concept which stresses on equality for the citizenry regardless of race, culture or belief.
The running of our nation’s affairs is still heavily dependent on race-based policies. In addition to all those race-based policies and systems, some followers of one particular religion have also systematically evolved into a machinery of threat and fear in order to control and subdue others into submission.
A large number of elected representatives from the ruling party have also proven to be unable to articulate and analyse logically on issues of distributive and regulative justice. Instead, it seems that they prefer to harp on issues involving race, religion, the rulers, as well as fan hatred, violence and suspicion among Malaysians.
Other concerns which are equally disturbing are the unjust policies, systems and laws which aim to stem out dissent from opposition leaders, human right advocates and civil rights activists. Worst of all is the increasing number of obstacles placed in the path of religious practices.
At times, we wonder whether race-based policies and encouraging religious bigotry are deliberately unleashed by those bent on holding on to power. Instilling fear among the population is another desperate move.
In order to cling on to power, Malaysians have to be constantly reminded and warned that they are under threat from “somebody” from “somewhere”. But most are clueless on what the threat is or where it comes from. In some instances, there are also threats from foreign or “Israeli-funded” individuals and organisations.
So why are Malaysians under threat? From what, from where and by whom? That is somewhat mysterious and all we have heard in one instance is that the threat is Zionism.
Then again, isn’t it baffling that the majority race should worry about the minorities in a country when they are supposed to be actually under threat because of their small number, their inability to control, monopolise or mobilise, their inferiority and their so-called “second class” status, very often labelled by the majority?
It does not make sense to claim that the minority groups are threatening the majority race and threatening their position in the country. That claim is simply not justifiable.
Because of all these bigotry rules, systems, laws, attitudes and politics, our nation is slowly being transformed where racial and religious phobias and insecurities are instilled in the minds of those running the show.
The brains of those in power always seem to be in “fighting” or “aggression” mode and they are always ready to use their daggers and wage their wars against those whom they perceive to be threatening them, their positions, their powers, their wealth and their “special rights”.
This has to stop before our nation is further torn apart, and destroy our nation’s unity, peace and tranquility.
It is time for our younger generations to take charge of our nation’s rejuvenation process. It is also time for the young to venture deeper into alternative features and social reconstruction. They should focus on our people’s real history, adopt a truly national ideology with a new understanding of what Malaysian nationalism really means to all of us.
We strongly believe that, through a new education for peace, justice, equality and tolerance, we will see the eventual demise of the issue of a race versus another race, or a race claiming to be mightier than the others, or a religion claiming to be more powerful than the others, as well as the demise of all race-based politics, policies and institutions and the dissolution of race-based political parties.
In realising these efforts, we need colour-blind educators and advocates who will profess and teach colour-blind programmes, lessons and systems via institutions with equality emerging without fear in order to set our nation’s course on the right direction.
Let us all stand up and fight against the neo-fascism, violence, bigotry, arrogance, racism and extremism through education. Such may be the longest ever battle that we have to endure but our next generation will be victorious ever.
We must embark on this new path today.
After more than 57 years of independence, it is indeed sad that we have yet to achieve the much desired one-nation and one-identity concept which stresses on equality for the citizenry regardless of race, culture or belief.
The running of our nation’s affairs is still heavily dependent on race-based policies. In addition to all those race-based policies and systems, some followers of one particular religion have also systematically evolved into a machinery of threat and fear in order to control and subdue others into submission.
A large number of elected representatives from the ruling party have also proven to be unable to articulate and analyse logically on issues of distributive and regulative justice. Instead, it seems that they prefer to harp on issues involving race, religion, the rulers, as well as fan hatred, violence and suspicion among Malaysians.
Other concerns which are equally disturbing are the unjust policies, systems and laws which aim to stem out dissent from opposition leaders, human right advocates and civil rights activists. Worst of all is the increasing number of obstacles placed in the path of religious practices.
At times, we wonder whether race-based policies and encouraging religious bigotry are deliberately unleashed by those bent on holding on to power. Instilling fear among the population is another desperate move.
In order to cling on to power, Malaysians have to be constantly reminded and warned that they are under threat from “somebody” from “somewhere”. But most are clueless on what the threat is or where it comes from. In some instances, there are also threats from foreign or “Israeli-funded” individuals and organisations.
So why are Malaysians under threat? From what, from where and by whom? That is somewhat mysterious and all we have heard in one instance is that the threat is Zionism.
Then again, isn’t it baffling that the majority race should worry about the minorities in a country when they are supposed to be actually under threat because of their small number, their inability to control, monopolise or mobilise, their inferiority and their so-called “second class” status, very often labelled by the majority?
It does not make sense to claim that the minority groups are threatening the majority race and threatening their position in the country. That claim is simply not justifiable.
Because of all these bigotry rules, systems, laws, attitudes and politics, our nation is slowly being transformed where racial and religious phobias and insecurities are instilled in the minds of those running the show.
The brains of those in power always seem to be in “fighting” or “aggression” mode and they are always ready to use their daggers and wage their wars against those whom they perceive to be threatening them, their positions, their powers, their wealth and their “special rights”.
This has to stop before our nation is further torn apart, and destroy our nation’s unity, peace and tranquility.
It is time for our younger generations to take charge of our nation’s rejuvenation process. It is also time for the young to venture deeper into alternative features and social reconstruction. They should focus on our people’s real history, adopt a truly national ideology with a new understanding of what Malaysian nationalism really means to all of us.
We strongly believe that, through a new education for peace, justice, equality and tolerance, we will see the eventual demise of the issue of a race versus another race, or a race claiming to be mightier than the others, or a religion claiming to be more powerful than the others, as well as the demise of all race-based politics, policies and institutions and the dissolution of race-based political parties.
In realising these efforts, we need colour-blind educators and advocates who will profess and teach colour-blind programmes, lessons and systems via institutions with equality emerging without fear in order to set our nation’s course on the right direction.
Let us all stand up and fight against the neo-fascism, violence, bigotry, arrogance, racism and extremism through education. Such may be the longest ever battle that we have to endure but our next generation will be victorious ever.
We must embark on this new path today.
