Pakatan Harapan Does Not Understand What ‘New’ Malaysia Means

Yes, Pakatan Harapan does not understand what a secular ‘New’ Malaysia entails. DAP leaders keep screaming that Malaysia is a secular state, not an Islamic state. But then Islam very much controls the lives of Malaysians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. And religion, in this case Islam, is very much part of Malaysia’s education system.

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Raja Petra Kamarudin

In a secular state even Islam and Prophet Muhammad can be mocked

The many conflicts and crises regarding race, religion, education, and so on, that ‘New’ Malaysia or Malaysia Baru has been facing over the last 19 months since the May 2019 general election is because Pakatan Harapan does not understand what ‘New’ Malaysia means.

Many pro-Pakatan Harapan people have been complaining that the so-called ‘New’ Malaysia is no different than the ‘Old’ Malaysia and that the ‘new’ Pakatan Harapan government is just like the ‘old’ Barisan Nasional government.

Well, what do you expect when many of the ‘new’ leaders are actually the same old leaders from before GE14? The so-called new leaders were the same people who messed up the country in the first place. How can you appoint the problem to become the solution?

That is like appointing the thieves and pirates to guard your property. In the first place, these people are the reason you need guards and then you go and appoint them as your guards. Isn’t that downright stupidity? But then this is how the Pakatan Harapan supporters think. And then they grumble when their guards run off with what they are supposed to protect.

Hindus also brainwash children into becoming religious fanatics and bigots

Building a ‘New’ Malaysia is not about shouting slogans and giving speeches (or giving ceramah and throwing down the microphone during the ceramah). It requires action. And that is what Pakatan Harapan lacks, action.

Let us look at the example of France. Up to the 1700s, France was just another backward country like many countries in Europe. And the reason for that is religion, in this case Christianity. And the culprit was the education system. Education was managed by the church and education meant religious education.

When Napoleon Bonaparte took over in the 1800s, he reformed the entire education system. First, he reduced the powers of the church. Then he abolished church education and built public schools. He also turned France into a secular state where the church no longer controlled the lives of the people. The people no longer were restricted in thoughts and deeds and were free to even reject religion.

This was considered the age of reason or period of enlightenment (which actually started from the 1600s). And, today, France is so advanced you can even make fun of Islam and Prophet Muhammad and the government will support you.

This should be classified as cruelty to children and outlawed in Pakatan Harapan’s ‘New’ Malaysia

Yes, it all starts from education and making sure that religion does not control your lives. You must be a free thinker and not be compelled to follow what they tout as God’s laws. If you want to believe in God and follow a religion that is your choice. But children should not be indoctrinated or brainwashed into believing in God and religion from a very young age and religion should not be taught in schools.

Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was correct when he said Malaysia is a country with first-world infrastructure but third-world mentality. And Malaysians have third-world mentality because of the education system.

The Chinese oppose Jawi because, according to them, they fear their children would be converted to Islam. So, the entire Jawi crisis revolves around religion. Islamophobia is very strong amongst the non-Muslims. Until very recently the DAP people refused to wear the songkok when attending a function in the Istana. They would rather not go to the Istana if they are forced to wear a songkok.

The DAP Chinese have compromised on the Islamic songkok for the sake of power and money

Now they have no choice or else they cannot get sworn into the state assembly and receive their huge salaries and allowances that would run into millions over one term. So, if have to use a songkok then use lah. If not, they will rugi millions.

In short, Pakatan Harapan says Malaysians now live in a ‘New’ Malaysia. They also say Malaysia is a secular country and not an Islamic country. Well, in that case they need to walk the talk. Pakatan Harapan must do what Napoleon did in France 200 years ago. If not then ‘New’ Malaysia would be just like ‘Old’ Malaysia.

In a true secular state, religion must be separated from the state. Religion cannot be forced upon its people and religion must be removed from the education system. That is the first and most important step that Malaysia must take but Pakatan Harapan is not doing this, which is why Malaysia is still facing so much problems.

The same old leaders from pre-GE14 are the leaders of the ‘New’ Malaysia

There should be no sacred cows. Malaysians must be allowed to make fun of Islam, Prophet Muhammad, the Sikh turban, the white chalk on a Hindu’s forehead, or whatever — just like in France. Free thinking or atheism should be encouraged so that the country can advance academically and not be held back by superstition, myths, legends and old wives’ tales in the disguise of religious beliefs.

Yes, Pakatan Harapan does not understand what a secular ‘New’ Malaysia entails. DAP leaders keep screaming that Malaysia is a secular state, not an Islamic state. But then Islam very much controls the lives of Malaysians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. And religion, in this case Islam, is very much part of Malaysia’s education system.

Pakatan Harapan must decide once and for all whether Malaysians really live in a ‘New’ Malaysia or they still live in the ‘Old’ Malaysia. Be honest about it and once that is decided stick to it. If Malaysia really is a ‘New’ Malaysia then Islam must no longer be prominent. Freedom of thought must be supreme. And with that would come absolute civil liberties where each person decides how he or she wishes to live his or her life and not be restricted by so-called God’s rules and regulations.