What do non-Malays and non-Muslims really talk about?

 

The MP for Permatang Pauh, Fawwaz Mohamad Jan, has been making the news again, but this time he said that he was not responsible for what had transpired.

Previously, he had criticised the promotion of alcoholic beverages in the main lobby of a supermarket mall. Every Malaysian knows that in the run-up to Chinese New Year, the promotion of alcohol will be an added attraction for the Chinese community.

This time, it was alleged that Fawwaz had posted a statement on his Facebook account which said that non-Muslims were working to bring down Islam.

The posting was later deleted and Fawwaz claimed that the administrator of his account was responsible.

Does Fawwaz understand his duties and responsibilities as a representative of the people? Why do shallow politicians like Fawwaz only know about race and religion? Do they not have other topics to talk about when they engage in conversation?

Why is the standard and quality of PAS MPs so terrible?

The damage has been done, and no amount of apology will rectify the situation.

In reality, what do non-Malay and non-Muslim people talk about in their daily lives?

Many discuss things like the rising cost of oil, electricity, water, and food. They will wonder why it is so difficult to stop corruption in positions of public office. Others will talk about the cost of living crisis. People who champion the environment will discuss climate change and ways to curb environmental pollution.

Parents worry about the quality of education for their schoolchildren. They will wonder if they can afford to pay for their children’s higher education.

Elderly non-Malays will wonder if their savings are enough to sustain them in their old age. They will wonder if they can get assistance for elderly care or a place in a retirement home.

Many will talk about their ambitions and if they can fulfil them. Others will discuss plans for that special holiday, especially as most people will have been in isolation for the duration of the pandemic.

Singles will wonder if they will ever get married. Married couples will wonder about their own relationship issues.

Children may possess wide ranging views from making friends to how much they may get in their angpow packets for Chinese New Year.

Singles will discuss with other friends about forming strong and stable relationships, or how to terminate a toxic relationship.

Where does the destruction of Islam feature in their daily lives?

More importantly, most of us would like to have a serious discussion with Fawwaz about many issues. Issues like the country’s economy. Would he know anything about tackling environmental pollution? The importance of STEM subjects in the education of our children? The need to be fluent in English if one wants to work overseas or in a multinational? Foreign languages?

What does he know about the importance of small, medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which are crucial for building the country’s economy.

What about youth unemployment? How could he entice them back to work? What about vocational education for youths who have no inclination for more academic subjects?

Fawwaz’s actions in blaming his administrator were viewed by people as a refusal to accept responsibility for his own statement. It was presumed that he could not own up to making racist comments because he could be charged for breaking the law.

If so, we can only conclude that we do not need non-Muslims to bring down the reputation of Islam, because people like Fawwaz are doing a good job of undermining their own religion. - FMT

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