Words without thought never will a nation grow

I write this not as an East Malaysian or a West Malaysian. I write this not as a non-Muslim or a Muslim. I write this as a Malaysian who believes in the principles of the Rukun Negara and grew up with it. I write this as a Malaysian with a heavy heart.

Why do we have to be such a fragmented nation when we need not be one? What has happened to change goodwill and brotherhood among us Malaysians? Whatever happened to the concept of one people, one nation?

It all boils down to politicians hell-bent on playing the racial and religious card. It all boils down to religious fanatics and zealots who exist among the various races of this land, be they the religious teachers, holier than thou citizens or men of religious authority. They exist both in the Muslim and non-Muslim communities whether we care to acknowledge it or not.

Take the case of Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh of PAS. He is a lawmaker who should be focused on building and caring for this nation. But what does he do? The complete opposite by claiming that the Bible has been “distorted and altered”.

How do such statements help in nation-building? How does it help you, me or him? To add insult to injury, he has the audacity to say Christians should not be offended by his statement and refuses to apologise for hurting the feelings of the Christian community. If this is how you build a nation of people on respect, tolerance and trust, Zawawi is the icon of a failed lawmaker.

I shudder to think what would have happened if a non-Muslim lawmaker had uttered such a statement about the Quran, the Guru Granth Sahib, the Tipitaka or any other religious book. People of all religions are guided by their religious beliefs and are brought up according to their guiding principles.

It is not for anybody to speak ill of someone else’s holy scriptures. Plain and simple. Religious tolerance is something you cannot buy. It is not for sale.

You have to learn to respect other people’s beliefs and live with it. But if you cannot, then it becomes a problem not only for all mankind but for yourself and your twisted agenda. Religion all over the world is the cause of mistrust and wars. It is not something to be toyed with or to be played up to. Why should it be any different in this country?

Who is there to censor you and your distorted views when you cross the line of religious intolerance aside from your parents, grandparents and teachers?

Only the people who appointed you to this position of power. Only those who selected you to become a lawmaker. Only those who elected you to office.

Are they at fault or are we made up of nonchalant politicians who are obsessed with staying in power at the expense of an entire country? Are we descending into the realm of a nation at war with itself?

United we stand, divided we fall? Let’s not even go there.

To quote Nelson Mandela, “only fools divide themselves by race, colour, gender and religion”.

Clement Stanley is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.