National unity elusive until race-based parties go, says ex-minister

 

The national unity blueprint launched yesterday could be improved to touch on shared values, says political scientist Chandra Muzaffar.

PETALING JAYA: A former religious affairs minister says true national unity will remain elusive unless the country does away with race-based political parties.

Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who was once part of the now-defunct National Unity Consultative Council, said great political will was required to move away from a racial base.

Commenting on the national united blueprint launched yesterday, Mujahid said the philosophy behind the plan was “good and evergreen”, but added that “as long as we have race or religion-based political parties, ethnic and religious issues will always be exploited to win votes”.

“You cannot talk about national unity unless you disband race and religion-based parties,” he said.

The 10-year unity blueprint outlines long-term strategies to harness, strengthen and maintain unity among the people.

Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

However, Mujahid said the blueprint lacked “legal bite” and should include two laws which the now defunct unity council had proposed – to punish hate speech, and establish a commission on national harmony.

While the Sedition Act could be used to punish hate speech, he said, it was too vague and open to abuse.

“At the same time, there is a need to ensure freedom of speech so that we, as a country, can have honest and mature discussions,” he said.

“Just because issues are sensitive does not mean they should not be discussed. What is important is that they do not propagate hate against any community.”

Chandra Muzaffar.

Political scientist Chandra Muzaffar welcomed the blueprint, saying it came at a time when communal polarisation was getting more serious.

He said it was good that the blueprint was guided by the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara as it provided clear parameters as to how the issue of unity would be addressed.

“A good example in the blueprint is the call to strengthen the use of Bahasa Melayu and, at the same time, encourage people to learn vernacular languages as an elective. The spirit of this can be found in the constitution. People must see and appreciate this,” he said.

However, Chandra hoped the blueprint could be improved to touch on shared values and the roles and responsibilities of each citizen.

“These are things which bind us as Malaysians,” he said.- FMT