Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s poor choice of the word “victory” in the temple and mosque controversy was highly irresponsible and dangerous.
He seemed oblivious that his war-like rhetoric has probably sown more mistrust and hatred.
Claiming “victory” invites the suggestion of a clash of different cultures, or religions, between non-Muslims and Muslims, or in this case, between Hindus and Muslims – “them and us”.
Anwar’s self-proclaimed “victory” probably went unnoticed by the federal ministers and his supporters at Masjid Madani’s groundbreaking ceremony. His remark should have rung alarm bells throughout the nation.
Whilst it is true that the word “victory” can be used in several different contexts, for instance, when overcoming a personal challenge like an addiction, or when it's used to indicate success in a game like a football, more often than not, “victory” is often used to signify the defeat of an enemy in battle.
For someone who claims to be a uniting factor in Malaysia, Anwar did not do himself any favours.
He praised various federal ministers and many others who were involved in the temple standoff. He claimed that their victory “was not borne out of arrogance”.
He said, “This victory is because we were able to demonstrate the wisdom, strength, and nobility of Islam - not arrogance.”
Did he or his Madani team think the temple representatives lacked wisdom, were weak and did not possess any noble values?
He claimed victory had also been achieved because the Muslim had set a good example for others and that this "showed the Muslim's good character - compassionate, caring, just.”.
What is he trying to suggest? That the temple people involved in the negotiations did not exhibit similar good qualities displayed by Muslims?
Leaders bereft of leadership
Our leaders struggle to unite this fractious nation with the 3Rs (race, religion, royalty) influencing their every action. It does not help when the perennial issues of temples, forced conversions, halal food and dress codes keep cropping up to divide us on a regular basis.
Most of the time, these conflicts are fanned by the same politicians who know that the only way they can hang onto power is to drive a wedge between us. They have no desire to be rid of the 3Rs.
We will never know for sure if the temple issue was resolved amicably, although everyone involved would like us to think so. Many of us suspect that the usual carrot and stick approach was employed, with more emphasis on the latter.
In the past, “sensitive” issues involving temples or churches almost always meant that the Muslims had the upper hand. They knew that they had the power to do as they pleased.
Those who destroyed temple idols escaped scot-free because the perpetrators were alleged to be of unsound mind. Crosses on churches had to be moved.
Religious artefacts removed
At my mission school in Ipoh, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (aka Main Convent), it was alleged that under orders from a former education minister, religious artifacts from the school chapel were removed without prior notice.
The nuns were unable to save the statues and many religious and historical items, which date from when the school first opened over a century ago. Workers dumped the items onto the back of a lorry and then, onto a landfill.
Article 11 of the Federal Constitution states that “every person has the right to profess and practice his religion” but local councils and politicians have different interpretations from us.
Just think about the havoc wreaked if mosques had to endure the same tribulations.
On March 25, Anwar erroneously claimed that the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple had been built without permission, that it was an “illegal building” and that the nation should follow the rule of law.
His aides failed to advise him that the temple was built in 1893 and that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) did not exist then.
In his insistence that everyone observes the rule of law, will the prime minister investigate how Jakel managed to purchase the land via closed tender?
Double standards
Many Malaysians are aware of the alleged close ties between Jakel's owners and a former first lady. They know too that during the disgraced felon Najib Abdul Razak’s tenure, tracts of prime land in KL were sold in allegedly suspicious transactions.
First, the authorities declared the temple illegal. We then discovered that the land had been quietly sold off to a high-profile crony company.
Whilst we are distracted by the turf wars over this temple, the irregularities about Jakel's purchase of the land will probably be swept under the carpet.
Anwar then had the cheek to urge Malaysians to live in harmony. After all the angst, anger and breakdown in communication of the previous weeks, the prime minister failed to appreciate that his presence at the mosque's groundbreaking ceremony on March 27 was highly provocative.
Displaying his usual arrogance, Anwar then claimed “victory”, all in the name of Islam and a two-tiered system of justice. - Mkini
MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and the president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, X.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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