DPM must act on his own logic

Words alone, if not followed up by actions, will only cause more frustration and disappointment.

COMMENT

By TK Chua

Who could disagree with our deputy prime minister (DPM) when he said Malaysians should not resort to pitting one’s race and religion against each other when attempting to settle business disputes.

However, what the DPM said matters. Nowadays even politically correct statements are difficult to come by. Politicians in power are generally too hamstrung by racial and religious dynamics in the country. It is therefore hard for politicians to disengage race and religion even though they know that is the right thing to do.

Hence, I want to commend and encourage our DPM to highlight the perils of using race and religion to solve disputes and problems. In fact, I urge him to move a step further; he must match his words with actions.

There is so much dissonance between words and actions now. Words alone, if not followed up by actions, will only cause more frustration and disappointment.

So here is what I think our DPM should do.

First, be fair and firm. Take action against instigators and troublemakers immediately. Any sign of condonation will only serve to encourage more delinquencies. I think those in authority must do some serious soul-searching. Have they been effective? Have they been double-quick in taking action in some cases and closing both eyes on others?

The DPM must make those responsible account for their actions. Is it acceptable for an NGO or a political leader aspiring for public office someday to call for a total boycott of businesses run by another race? Is it acceptable when one racial group attacks a retail outlet manned by another racial group using whatever justifications they please? Acts of this nature never occurred in Malaysia before. Why now?

Second, educate and inculcate. Leadership has responsibility. Use reasons and logic to explain issues to the people. Why would a conman cheat others only based on one’s race and religion? To me, a conman cheats when opportunity, ignorance and stupidity presents itself. Those who think otherwise are not logical people. A dishonest Chinese trader will cheat anybody, not just Malays. An ignorant Malay consumer will be cheated by anybody – Malay, Chinese, Indian or now Burmese and Bangladeshi.

Third, always think and act with inclusiveness. The unfortunate incidents at Low Yat Plaza and Kota Raya Shopping Complex are the unintended consequences of market forces. Through acumen and other advantages, Chinese traders have dominated the two places and some businesses there could have resorted to short-changing or cheating customers.

But this alone is no excuse for the government to set up a parallel mall that divides and segregates the people completely. By all means, help Malay traders, but certainly not in the way that causes so much animosity and disharmony with no guarantee even of its business success. Economic and business programmes must not defy logic. 100 per cent Bumi retail outlets have never been decreed by the government before, so why now? Which retail sector will be next?

I would prefer that the government step-up competition and enforcement. Malaysia is known for having the most number of enforcement officers. Station some of these redundant enforcement officers at business venues to reduce the likelihood of disputes between consumers and traders.

TK Chua is an FMT reader.