Written by Lena HendryCPIAsia
Press Statements
This trend of thinking is in fact one of the strong factors that has been reinforcing the division and segregation of race and religion in Malaysia. Ethnic based politics has been the order of the day since the country’s Independence and this has definitely not benefited its multiracial and cultural communities.
After the previous 12th general election of March 8, 2008, Malaysian have shown the government of the day and the politicians that we will not stand for race-based politics and this was reflected in our votes for change then. The people had sent a strong message to politicians on both sides of the political divide that playing the racial card for political ambitions will not be tolerated by the voters and Malaysians in general.
Independence day should be celebrated with pride and honour not to be tainted with dirty politics and using religion as a tool for self interests. Using race and religion as propaganda material to elevate oneself pending the next 13th general election is totally shameful and justifies the branding of it being labeled as “gutter politics”.
The Malaysian constitution describes the nation as a secular state and Islam is its official religion. Both former Prime Ministers of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn were both lawyers and had acknowledged Malaysia as a secular state based on the constitution.
The theme of Independence Day should reflect the interests and aspirations of all Malaysians and not of just one community or ethnic group. PM Najib of all people should know this and not be part of the fanatical zeal of propagating one group over another.
It is now 55 years after independence and the nation is overdue to clearly move away from racist politics and political agenda towards a united nation. It is high time the Malaysian government show the world that it is serious in its endeavour to lead the nation towards progress, stability and prosperity for all and not only for selected groups of people.
Malaysia has to immediately demonstrate its membership in the progressive international community by ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). This is an international human rights instrument which provides a check and balance mechanism for governments to account for their policies and actions on any issues relating to racism in Malaysia.
Pusat Komas is currently spear-heading the ‘ Ratify ICERD Now, Stop Racism ’ campaign together with seven other civil societies to advocate for the Malaysian government to ratify the convention.
In the coming elections, all candidates must pledge to the people that they will uphold a non-discrimination position regardless of race, religion. Most importantly, politicians and governments must walk the talk. Enough talk, enough propaganda, and enough racial politics in our country!
The writer is Pusat Komas ‘ Non-Discrimination’ Programme Coordinator
Saudara-saudara dan Saudari-saudari Yang Di Hormati
ReplyDeleteBahawa MCA Gombak pegurusi YIP KUM FOOK dan anaknya Yip Jiun Hann (Permuda MCA Gombak) bukan sahaja menggunakan kuasanya menghisap wang KUIL BUDDHA SAMNAK SAMBODHI(Thai) No: 19 Jalan 38 Taman Desa Jaya, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tetapi lebih dahsyat, ialah menipu wanita-wanita dan merosakan keluarga orang lain. Mereka sebenar-benarnya orang yang jahat dan tak bermoral
Saya mengemukakan kesal yang benar ini, tujuan ialah harap orang ramai, khasnya wanita dapat mengambil perhatian supaya jangan terjerat oleh manis-manis mulutnya akhir akan meninpa kerugian dan kesakitan yang besar
马华公会鹅唛區会主席叶金福律师与马华公会鹅唛區会叶君瀚青年圑長, 不但无耻的利用KUIL BUDDHA SAMNAK SAMBODHI(Thai) No: 19 Jalan 38 Taman Desa Jaya, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.宗教之名捞取权和私利之外, 叧一大罪悪是, 他们仗着权势, 甜言蜜語, 誘骗良家少女, 骗财骗色, 三妻四妾, 破坏别人的家庭. 父子两人, 无悪不做, 实是大色狼, 大老千,缺德的败娄.
今天我把实事公告大家, 是希望公众, 特别是良家少女, 要多多小心, 提防这一娄假面具的佛教徒, 以免一失足成千古恨.
Brother And Sister Of the respectfully
That YIP KUM FOOK, MCA Gombak chairman and his son Yip Jiun Hann (Youth MCA Gombak) they are not only used of power to suck Temple’s money of SAMNAK SAMBODHI BUDDHIST TEMPLE(Thai) No: 19 Jalan 38 Taman Desa Jaya, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. But far worse, they are cheating women and make people family broken. They truly wicked and immoral
Bring forward. I regret that this is true, the purpose is to hope for public, and especially women take care not to be trapped by the end of sweet mouth will override of great loss and pain