Letter to Editor
A MALAYSIAN Malaysia where diversity is celebrated and treated as a badge of honour has long been the hope and aspiration of many citizens of this beautiful nation.
A land where people from different ethnicities, religious and cultural backgrounds all live in perfect harmony with tolerance and mutual respect underpinning the social fabric. That is the dream.
Lately, however, challenges to this notion have become increasingly shrill and louder whereby anything that does not conform to Malay-Muslim culture is viewed as having no place in Malaysian society.
Worse yet if the Madani government has a hand in an especially cultural or religious celebration or event.
I point to a recent example of this. Bernama reported that the Pakatan Harapanb (PH)-led Selangor state government aims to create a national record of installing 666 statues of Prince Siddartha in conjunction with the state-level Wesak Day celebrations on June 6.
The underlying intention is none other than to foster harmony among multi-racial communities and deepen understanding of Buddhist culture.
However, the news when shared on Bernama’s Facebook platform was met with a less-than-resounding reception from those with rightist leanings.
Examples of zealots making their displeasure known included a comment that sought to limit the number of statues that were put up for this event.
It was also surmised that these events were done in the name of multi-racial harmony but was just a move to step on Malay-Muslim sensitivities. This is what happens when the kafir (infidels) have power was the alarmist call.
Another narrow-minded individual proclaimed that these statues did nothing to promote racial harmony.
The bald-faced bigotry was not in short supply with various netizens showing their true stripes (though some chose to hide behind anonymous social media accounts).
As previously mentioned, there will be plenty of vitriol when an event has official state or national backing. Of course, non-Muslim taxpayers have no right to expect their cultural or religious events to have government support as contended by those blinded by prejudice.
One disgruntled citizen even asked why Teacher’s Day celebrations are banned in Selangor but the Wesak Day event is allowed.
That is just like comparing apples with oranges. The state-level Teacher’s Day celebs were halted in schools by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) as a means to curb unnecessary spending in line with the Federal government’s call to be thrifty following the global energy supply crisis.
On the contrary, this Wesak Day celebration is in one Buddhist temple (as opposed to all schools) and only involves those who follow the Buddhist faith.
Apparently, this state-level Wesak Day celebration is perceived as a concrete proof that the current Madani administration is giving too much face to non-Muslims. Time for a change is the rallying call among these hate-mongers.
According to this blinkered bunch, the rights of Muslims and status of Islam as the official religion of Malaysia are under threat simply because there is a state-level event celebrating another religion.
One can clearly see that it matters not whether an event is a fun-filled (and harmless) water jamboree or if it’s a solemn religious festival.
If it doesn’t conform to supposed (and extremely conservative and narrow interpretation of) Malay-Muslim values and identity, it has no place in Malaysia according to these rightist extremists.
I urge all Malaysians to stand up to enlighten such individuals with far-rightist mindset. We are a melting pot nation. Religious festivities of every citizen should be recognised, celebrated and yes, cherished.
Do NOT let the zealots have their way because if they do, it won’t just be your right to dance in the streets in wet clothing that will be taken away. It will be much more.
Jesus Gautama
Petaling Jaya
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.
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