Solving the race problem

The past week has been about race, and it will continue to be for the weeks and months to come, with Umno and PAS seemingly galvanised for the first time since the last general election.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been experimenting with different approaches in search of political relevance, after inheriting a party without power and having to get used to the chaotic nature of opposition politics.

First, he tried the easiest route: identity politics. Umno tried to accommodate PAS in a series of by-elections to portray themselves as the great Malay-Muslim defenders.

This proved unsuccessful with both being a liability to the other. Cooperation with PAS was driving away moderate Umno supporters, and cooperation with Umno was driving away hardliner PAS supporters.

Thereafter, Zahid tried a different strategy: to be an issue-based party. In a surprise move, Umno formed a shadow cabinet to provide effective check and balance against the government. But this quickly descended into a series of feeble arguments and shouting matches in Parliament.

Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin tried to put forward a shadow budget that was thoughtful and well-designed. However, even this did not seem to gain much traction among Umno parliamentarians. Perhaps Zahid was anxious of Khairy’s popularity usurping his?

And then, opportunity

Then came ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) at a golden hour.

Six months was enough to erase any euphoria of overthrowing the most corrupt regime in Malaysian history. Any semblance of goodwill from Malay-Muslim voters who were not Pakatan Harapan supporters and fence-sitters who took a leap of faith on May 9 had largely dissipated.

What is often forgotten is that race relations does not change with a vote. The century-long construction of race that was manipulated by politicians to harbour hatred, resentment, and prejudice against others will not change simply because of a change in government.

That is why it was so easy for Umno and PAS to mobilise angry mobs to protest even against a complex and little-understood United Nations instrument fraught with legalese, extensive mechanisms, and an uneasy abbreviation.

Manipulating Icerd into Malay rights being under threat was easy, because suspicions against the Harapan government were already bubbling beneath the surface.

Unsuccessful merger

On this issue, Umno and PAS finally found their voice. That also explains why the public merger negotiation between Zahid and Abdul Hadi Awang on stage did not come to fruition.

Both saw how powerful this tool really was. Zahid must have been elated that Umno could once again lead the narrative of identity politics with PAS following behind.

But Hadi was quick to ignore Zahid’s open invitation for a 'merger' because PAS must have also seen this opportunity as attractive, and wanted to seize it for themselves.

Race has long been a tool ready to ignite and easy to manipulate. Both Umno and PAS saw their political futures return; opposition politics must have now appeared easy.

If further evidence is needed of how easy race can be manipulated, we need look no further than to the ‘beer promoter’ incident.

Edi Rejang must have felt that the Chinese beer promoter represented a foreign element antithetical to his beliefs of a 'wholesome' life. Edi was a symptom of dormant resentment; he was self-activated and ready to be activated.

Umno and PAS are ready to play into our worst instincts to regain political relevance.

Extremism never survives

But I have a feeling that racial extremism will not be sustainable in modern Malaysia.

These are not the empty words of idealism by a 25-year old; instead, they are based on the truth that moderation and peace were the guiding themes of the formation of the country.

In the face of every evidence of extremism, we are always surprised with one race standing up for others.

Against the overt aggression by Edi, it is no coincidence that the vast majority of those who defended the beer promoter were Malay. 

This gives credence to my belief that the core of our humanity detests aggression and animosity, and celebrates tolerance and togetherness regardless of the colour of your skin. In the impending retreat to divisive racial politics, we must remind ourselves of this shared history that confirms the truth of our humanity.

None of this suggests the road to achieve racial empathy and acceptance is easy.

To be effective defenders of ideals, we must read history and appreciate that the people who are suspicious of other races are not all irrational racists. 

We must engage with empathy to understand the root causes shaping their prejudice and misunderstanding: Is it economic? Is it century-long targeted exclusion? Is it the effects of our colonial legacy? Is it political manipulation? Is it ignorance? Is it experiential validation?

The road ahead is arduous, which is why we cannot afford political expediency or the arrogance of idealism.

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JAMES CHAI works at a law firm. His voyage in life is made less lonely with a family of deep love, friends of good humour and teachers of selfless giving. This affirms his conviction in the common good of people: the better angels of our nature. He tweets at @JamesJSChai. - Mkini