Preaching moderation abroad but allowing extremism at home
My article was earlier published in TheAntDaily.com on 12/11/2014
Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been championing and pursuing the agenda of moderation on the global arena and his latest effort at marketing himself as a moderate Muslim leader was at the 69th United Nations General Assembly recently.
Najib has shown leaders of the Muslim world that he is indeed a “fine example of a moderate leader” that others should emulate.
Yes, citizens of other nations, with little knowledge of Malaysian politics would certainly believe that his speech speaks volumes in fighting all forms of religious and racial extremisms, violence and discrimination.
Back home, religious and racial extremists are systematically allowed to flourish. Religious discrimination and threats against other faiths have also grown rapidly and getting out of control.
We can still recall Najib, in his speech at the United Nations summit, calling on moderates to reclaim the agenda for peace and pragmatism and isolate the extremists.
Yes, the prime minister made this call to leaders of other nations, but he failed to address the growing religious and racial extremism here in his home country. Wasn’t he supposed to practise what he preached in the first place? Wasn’t he supposed to set an example in Malaysia first before urging others to pursue moderation?
What is he trying to demonstrate through his politics of moderation at the United Nations and the politics of religion and race in Malaysia?
Najib seems to be contradicting himself and putting himself in an awkward situation by asking leaders of other nations to take the middle path, adopt a peaceful approach and calling on the international community to isolate extremists, while at home, his ruling party and government are espousing the divide and rule concept and pursuing the rule of fear.
We wonder if Najib would be able to play an effective role in mobilising national and international views against the current onslaught by extremists if his efforts are thwarted by rising religious and racial extremism from within the ruling party and government.
Come on! The international community and our people are watching every step that Najib has been taking. Is he really sincere in his agenda for moderation or is he merely seeking popularity internationally?
The prime minister must not forget the gist of his speech at the United Nations where he stressed: “Individuals and ethnics and religious groups need to feel they have a stake in a nation’s success, not in its failure. So, we should commit to more inclusive politics, pragmatism and compromise. And it must come from within.”
So, what has become of our nation today? The actions by extremists and racists are neither stupid nor emotional but are calculated, planned and maliciously intended to create hatred in this country.
These groups clearly supported by the silence of the authorities and actively by some elements in the establishments. It is as clear as daylight that these bigots are given utmost freedom to perpetuate their hate and violent agendas at will and above the law.
The situation in our country today appears to have gotten out of control. The most shocking was an incident last week when a consumers group called for action against a mineral water bottler for using the image of a Hindu deity on its labels, arguing that its placement near a “halal” logo was insensitive.
Is Malaysia really an example of moderation for other nations to emulate when the foundation of tolerance and moderation advocated by our founding fathers are eroding rapidly?
