Stop playing with fire': USELESS advice when cops respond UNFAIRLY

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and his deputy Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin warned Malaysians not to deliberately stoke racial and religious tension or the police would use any appropriate law against the offenders, after a series of incidents involving racial and religious words and deeds were reported in the country over the past few months.

Obviously, these intensified acts of violation breaching peace of the society have gone beyond the society's tolerance. As it is better to prevent than to remedy, the country might face an outbreak of conflict if the police do nothing about it.

Meanwhile, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who uploaded a video clip titled Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014 Video Clip during the Chinese New Year, received hundred of vulgar, threatening SMSes and nonsensical calls in the middle of the night, while a group of supposed Muslim NGOs offering a RM500 reward for anyone who could slap her, and her service centre was splashed with red paint and a dead chicken was placed at her doorstep, threatening her safety. Regardless of whether her CNY video clip is inappropriate or not, since the police has opened a file to investigate it, such intimidating and threatening behaviours have apparently disregarded the rule of law.

In fact, it is worrisome as a series of incidents involving desecration of religious sides and racial sensitivity have taken place since the beginning of 2014. Catholic churches and mosques have become the targets of offenders. For instance, banners with religious sensitive words were hung on three Catholic churches in Penang, while a Molotov cocktail was thrown into another Catholic church in January; and meat resembling pork was found at a mosque in Bukit Mertajam in mid-February. These acts desecrating religious sites have reflected that the society has been filled with the emotions of violence and hatred. These incidents might be manipulated and instigated by some irresponsible groups with evil intentions. Stern actions must be taken against them to achieve admonishing effect.

The experience of living together over the past more than 50 years has made us understand the importance of deep understanding in the multiracial and multi-religious country. People from different racial and religious groups can mutually respect and tolerate but extreme organisations and individuals have played with racial sentiments and religious sensitive issues, trying to achieve their own agendas. However, such acts of playing with fire would not only burn themselves, but could also push the country into the abyss of racial conflict. For instance, an article was recently posted on the blog Negara Pakatan Rakyat alleging that the Penang government was seriously considering stopping Friday sermons in mosques. Apparently, the person was trying to incite Muslim discontent. If the acts of stoking hatred continue, the people will eventually be the one to suffer.

Various incidents breaching peace and harmony have been staged. The government's failure to timely make clear its stand over some controversial sensitive issues and the police's failure to immediately ferret out the culprits have indirectly stimulated more to sabotage rampantly.

Meanwhile, the ruling and alternative coalitions should not waste time on religious controversies but widen their views and together, fight for national economy and solve people's livelihood problems. After all, the true spirit of politicians should be to provide better services to the people. - mysinchew