Malaysia’s never-ending chess game of race and religion

 Politicians will tell us what we want to hear, before reverting to their old ways, but that is the nature of the beast and we should temper our expectations.

Politics is a curious game of chess, one that demands mastery from its players.

When politicians step away from the positions and parties that once defined them, they suddenly find the courage to say things that resonate with ordinary Malaysians. They speak of reforms, inject common sense into heated debates, and sound refreshingly sincere.

But once they return to the forefront of party politics, race and religion almost instantly dominate their vocabulary again. That, it seems, is the nature of the beast.

A quick Google search of prominent names will reveal the pattern: what they say while canvassing for votes, what they promise once elected, how they behave in power, and how they speak when cast aside by their party or leaders.

This is why voters must resist being starstruck by politicians who deliver the soundbites we long to hear, especially during campaigns. At the end of the day, these figures are marketing themselves for one purpose — to be voted in.

If wearing a kopiah, championing reforms, sporting a football jersey, invoking Malay rights, or performing the latest TikTok trend helps them win support, they will do it.

The real game for voters is spotting the masks these politicians wear.

And here lies a crucial point, particularly for non-Malays: issues tied to Malay identity and Islam are not going away. On the contrary, the current political landscape ensures they will be amplified.

Whether one agrees with the framing or not, these issues matter deeply to Malay-Muslims, who make up roughly 60% of the electorate. And since elections are a numbers game, parties and coalitions will inevitably appeal to this demographic.

Talk of “new politics,” as Rafizi Ramli advocates, is premature. Communal politics is here to stay — at least for now. The rules of the chessboard dictate that race and religion remain the dominant moves.

The voices of so-called “liberal Malays” — a term often dismissed as a slur — will be sidelined.

I once hoped Umno, after two disastrous elections, would emerge humbled and transformed into a moderate, progressive force. Instead, it merely lay low, waiting for the right moment to rekindle ties with PAS.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, to his credit, has tried to balance appeasing the Malay base while introducing reforms without rocking the boat. That is why I dismiss critics who claim Pakatan Harapan has failed or that DAP has become toothless.

Like it or not, narratives of Malay supremacy have seeped into universities, shaped religious discourse, influenced “Mat Rempits,” and even pensioners.

Placing hope in new parties to deliver Malaysia’s happily-ever-after is futile for now. Non-Malays must accept the realities of Islamic conservatism and Malay supremacy narratives, and vote for parties that can navigate these sensitive issues without triggering backlash.

Those who promise quick fixes are either delusional or deliberately trying to dupe Malaysians.

Because at the end of the day, no matter how progressive they appear, politicians remain bound to the rules of a very ugly chess game. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.