Both sides blame each other for '3R' surge

Lawmakers on both sides of the divide have acknowledged a drastic increase in the use of race, religion and royalty (3R topics) in debates and rows during the Dewan Rakyat sittings since the change of the government.

Each side then takes the other side to task for causing a phenomenon in the House.

The government lawmakers blame the opposition for harping excessively on 3R topics while the opposition claims that these issues are raised in the House because the government has failed to resolve them.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, the chairperson of the Government Backbenchers Club, Johari Abdul, described how Pakatan Harapan lawmakers used to debate on issues with substance during the previous administration.

"Previously, we used to debate these issues with facts and figures. We pretty much avoided the usage of race and religious keywords.

"Now, we can see the opposition, mainly Umno and PAS, utilising these issues for their survival and plan to use them during the next general election.

"This is quite behind time. They do not live in the reality," Johari, the MP for Sungai Petani, said.

"The people want a political coalition that can bring development to the country. They will reject such racial and religious discourse."

Johari (photo) said this when referring to a study conducted by Malaysiakini, where the usage of keywords linked to race, religion and royalty in Parliament after Harapan took over Putrajaya was 88 percent more than during the BN administration.

Keywords related to the 3R topics were mentioned 8,087 times in the Dewan Rakyat during sessions that took place in the first year of Harapan’s rule, compared with 4,292 times the year before.

The keywords are: 'Religion', 'Islam', 'Race', 'Malay', 'non-Malay', 'Ruler', 'Agong', 'Sultan', 'UEC', 'Article 153', 'Rome Statute' and 'Icerd'.

While complimenting Malaysiakini's efforts for this report, Harapan Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi said the news portal should "name and shame" the usual suspects who harped on these extreme issues.

"They simply have to resort to extreme grounds for the sake of survival.

"On our side, we try not to fire up (the 3R topics) but when the other side does this, we have to respond. So, that's the outcome," Shu Qi said.

Harapan Subang MP Wong Chen (photo) said he personally does not talk about race and religion in the Dewan Rakyat as his focus is on economic issues and reforms.

"I am aware that the quarrels in Parliament on race and religion have intensified of late and unfortunately, the ill-will generated has continued outside the Dewan as well.

"MPs need to be more courteous to one another. They can strongly disagree, but must debate policies based on facts and data, not go by their personal assumptions or ideas on race and religion," Wong said.

Disagreeing with the government lawmakers, PAS Kubang Kerian MP Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the 3R topics were brought up time and time again as not many people dared to criticise the royalty.

"When many criticise the royalty, then the matter is raised (in the House). The Harapan leadership's lack of action has drawn some reaction from the people, so they dare to criticise the royalty as well as speak on religious issues.

"We have to look at (the problems) from the source. The government must use the existing provisions to control the situation so that this will not become a culture," Tuan Ibrahim said.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Jeffrey Kitingan (photo) said he is concerned about the rise of racial and religious topics in the House.

"I think there is now a tendency for Malaysian politics of going back to race and religion, which by now should no longer be issues for rows.

"These are raised because of our racial politics. Umno is for Malays. They are raising up the sentiments of Malays and Muslims," the Keningau MP said.

Jeffrey went on to wish that such a disease would not spread to East Malaysia.

"The way forward is for the government to do something about these issues. Maybe they can come up with positive planning to improve the situation.

"Get rid of race-based political parties. Be more issue orientated," he said, adding that the government could relook into the education system and the Federal Constitution.

"Well, if you have a constitution that says some people have more rights than the others, then they will pursue the rights as the basis for their politics. This is happening," he said.

Jeffrey opined that Article 153 of the constitution, which stipulates the special position of the Malays, has to be addressed eventually.

"But, in order to do that, you have to do something else to raise up the education standard. Then, you also have to dismantle a lot of policies and systems that contributed to these problems," he added. - Mkini