A conspiracy to pull Malaysians apart

Zan Azlee, The Malaysian Insider

In just a matter of approximately a month, we Malaysians have been flooded with all kinds of propaganda that seems to be threatening our racial harmony.

First, there was the stupid, moronic, idiotic and imbecilic couple Alvivi and their Bak Kut Teh spirited Ramadhan wish to all Malaysians.

Then there was the issue of a headmaster who made non-Muslims eat in a shower-changing room during Ramadhan (although it is wrong, I genuinely believe there was no malicious intent by the headmaster).

Now, we have this harmless video of a Muslim woman who made a video (three years ago, mind you) with herself and her dogs wishing people Selamat Hari Raya.

Now for this third one, it gets a little bit tricky. Many say its insulting to Islam. I, however, do not think so since there is nothing stated anyway in the religious books that say dogs are un-Islamic (but I'm a dog-lover, so sue me).

I could not care less about whether Islam is being insulted, if there is a big racist plot to bring down all the non-Malays in the country, or if the fork ran away with the spoon.

What bothers me is the fact that on Facebook timeline (yes, the world has come down to this - when an entire societal situation can be extrapolated from FB!), things are not rosy.

My timeline has been divided into two distinct sides - those who are on one side, and those who are on the other. And it pains me to see this happening.

With all these stories coming out in the media, there has never been a larger rift in Malaysia than I can ever remember in my entire 35 years of being alive.

I cannot help but wonder if all these are just part of an elaborate media strategy with an aim to create dischord and disharmony amongst Malaysian... for selfish reasons.

It seems just too convenient that our top national leaders are able to come up with all kinds of populist comments and statements to appeal to their target market.

And it also so happens to be their favourite strategy - something they learned from our colonial masters all those decades ago - of divide and conquer.

So now the ultra Malay Muslims are getting all defensive and the non-Malays are all getting angry and fuming. And when a situation like this is allowed to boil and fester, emotions starts to get out of control.

And it is very obvious that the leader (or leaders) that can appeal to this heightened emotions is going to be the leader (or leaders) that people will turn to in tense situations like these.

Oh and what is this I hear? The Umno general assembly date has been set? It is going to be in the first week of December? That is, just three months away to the party's most important internal election.

An election that is so important that it would literally decide Malaysia's leadership. And rumours that the party's leaders have started galvanising support from members are rife.

So, to all Malaysians out there. I would like to make a call. It may be cliched, but it is important to remember nonetheless.

Listen above the ruckus and realise that we are better than everything that has been going on. I have faith that Malaysians, in the bigger scheme of things, are smart, intelligent, understanding and empathic.