A DAP lawmaker has cautioned that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call for Malaysians to reject hatred and slander will ring hollow unless the government acts more firmly, swiftly, and consistently against extremist narratives as well as racial and religious provocations.
Asserting that he is voicing the criticism of the government’s “greatest weakness” as felt by “many Malaysians”, Klang MP V Ganabatirau highlighted a negative perception against the government’s supposedly lacklustre response during previous incidents affecting the Indian community.
In particular, he highlighted the 2024 controversy involving socks bearing the word “Allah” found in a KK Mart convenience store, the use of derogatory racial terms against Indians, and attacks on religious sensitivities via the labelling of Hindu temples as “illegal”.
“When insensitive controversies and hate-driven remarks surfaced… the response was often seen as delayed, inconsistent or insufficiently firm.
“This allowed extremist voices to grow louder and created the perception that intolerance and provocation were being normalised in public discourse,” the Selangor DAP deputy chairperson said in a statement today.
He emphasised that a peaceful and multiracial Malaysia cannot be sustained if hate speech, religious bigotry, and incitement are treated “selectively or according to political convenience”.
The government, he said, must demonstrate moral courage and apply the law fairly and consistently against any individual or group that threatens national harmony - regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.
“The silent majority has always believed in moderation, mutual respect and coexistence.
“What Malaysians seek now is not merely rhetoric against extremism, but firm and principled action (which) reassures every citizen that unity, justice and inclusiveness remain the true foundation of our nation,” the parliamentarian added.
His remarks today come after the prime minister called on the peace-loving majority to speak up against narratives of hatred and slander being propagated by a minority group in the country.
Speaking at a May 23 event in conjunction with Wesak Day, Anwar said the current situation reflects a “tyranny of the minority”, where a small group of loud, angry individuals who spread slander attempt to impose their will on the majority of the people.
Racial issues
Ganabatirau’s statement also echoes sentiments expressed by former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who recently said the government could do better at addressing racial issues, citing Anwar’s supposedly misplaced focus on placating unity government partner Umno.
During the KK Mart socks controversy, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and other quarters had urged Muslims to boycott the retail chain.
Rafizi, who has since resigned from PKR to lead Parti Bersama Malaysia, further highlighted the government’s lack of an effective mechanism and narrative leadership to counter extremist agendas.
In response to Rafizi’s claims, National Unity Advisory Council member Tajuddin Rasdi opined that Anwar is not solely to blame for failing to keep the rising racial and religious tensions in check.
Tajuddin also insisted that Rafizi had hardly addressed any racial or religious issues at all when the latter was the economy minister, accusing him of failing to deal with any cases of religious or racial tensions caused by individuals and the opposition in his podcasts.
“As usual, Rafizi is in his classic mode of blaming others, especially his former boss, without any concrete execution on his own part,” the professor of Islamic architecture said in a statement to Malaysiakini.
He added that Rafizi should be aware of how Anwar’s intervention in such issues could become political fuel to be exploited by the opposition. - Mkini
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