High time to bin the race card

If the government is sincere in wanting to pursue its national reconciliation agenda, it should strive to promote a true Malaysian identity.

In the past month, we have witnessed two hyper charged incidents that have touched every Malaysian one way or another. Both revolved around the issues of religion and race. The first incident that sparked an outrage among non-Muslim parents was when their children were made to have meals in shower rooms during breaks in school. Apparently the headmaster had instructed them to do so in respect to the fasting students. This was not a move expected from a school headmaster in the manner young minds are treated. It not only instills the thought of “separation on racial lines” but demeans and castigates those not fasting.

The second incident also occurred in a school. This time the principal in anger had asked the non-Malay students to either go back to India or China, igniting another round of anger, disgust and apprehension among parents and society. The principal was clearly unjustified in making such remark in public. As an entrusted individual, she should have been more sensitive and thoughtful before hurling such verbal abuse in the open. No amount of apology can repair the damage done, especially to her.

Respect must be earned and not imposed especially on a weaker party. It must be on civil and socially accepted mutual grounds with ample negotiating boundaries. It is unfortunate that after more than 50 years of independence, we as a society are growing apart rather than converging into a more homogeneous entity. We boast to the world of having highly diversified cultures, traditions and foods but sadly we have lost our sense of being truly tolerant to one another.

In the 70s to late 90s, the spirit of friendship and neighbourliness was based on sharing and respecting each other regardless of social, economic and religious leanings. It was the way of life. We played, studied, camped and visited each other with no worries and qualms of hurting with our actions. Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali were celebrations for all. Truly Malaysian in every sense.

What has happened to us?

Islam is a beautiful religion and so is Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Baha’ism and many other religions of the world. All encourage their followers to do good, be courteous, humble, honest, respectful, and above all not to hurt another even unintentionally. Unfortunately we have deviated far from these virtues. Every event is being skewed along the lines of race or religion.

Crime, social behaviour, politics, education, health, laws and even festivities have been infused with the element of race and religion from negative perspectives. At every opportunity an incident is viewed from a racial or religious angle. Sentiments have been heightened to boiling points and is reaching a critical stage of irreversible damage.

We are gambling away our future and yet foolish enough to pursue it at all costs just to drill home a point. It is ironic that when abroad, we all claim to be Malaysians but the moment we step on our own soil, we label ourselves as Indian, Malay, Chinese, Dayak, Iban, Melanau and Kadazandusun. Why such phenomena? Do we blame the policy makers of today or do we blame our colonial masters?

If the government has the genuine intention to pursue the national reconciliation agenda, we should have a true Malaysian identity. High time to bin raced based political parties, policies, education system and special privileges accorded to any pocket of society. The only exception is for those categorised as hardcore poor and left out of the mainstream development due to geographical accessibility.

Nevertheless the most crucial factor is that we must first accept ourselves as a “human race” and not colour-based homo sapiens. Imagine being in the hospital and you need a blood transfusion to save your life. Will the ‘race’ of the blood matter then?