Prime Minister, it’s time. Walk the talk, for once.

Clarion calls and abundant prints of ‘1Malaysia’ are BN’s version of a Disney fairy tale, where everyone lives happily as one regardless of race, religion and gender. Perhaps this is the ‘ever-after’ that our Federal Government leaders sleep to, just so they convince themselves that under their watch, Malaysia forges ahead in multi-racial relations. And that is why dreams are pleasant. For the reality that Malaysians wake up to every morning, or end their day with, is a stark and bitter contrast. The country may have survived colonialism but our flag now flies amidst growing extremism.



Right-thinking and peace-loving Malaysians have heard enough (but more will come our way) about lies only meant to actuate religious and racial intolerance between those from one race and religion against the others. It is against this backdrop of surging non-acceptance of others’ beliefs, increasing restrictions on rights otherwise guaranteed by our Federal Constitution and deafening ‘holier than thou’ battle cries by religion-based entities to demean the majority’s intention for a peaceful existence as this country’s citizens that Malaysia struggles to find that few moderate voices of reason.


As a Malaysian (and at the risk of receiving brickbats, a moderate Muslim), I strongly welcome the call made by 25 prominent Malays, each one of them having contributed to the Malaysian society in one way or the other, for a rational dialogue on position of Islam in the Malaysian context of constitutional democracy. The oft-quoted Article 11 of the Federal Constitution has been rehashed various times over but in light of the recent developments jeopardising the country’s racial relations and stability, the effect is certainly far from what our Constitution framers had envisioned. Now is the time, and there is no other better time for Malaysia to stand up against calculated acts of undermining our shared history and be part of finding ways (intellectual discourses and debates come to mind, certainly not threats and displays of violence) to better understand where Islam stands in our increasingly multi-racial society, and how that interplays with a person’s right to profess and practice his or her religion.


I for one, would be interested to be part of this dialogue. Coming from a family of mixed ancestries, I personally recognise how this issue craves for crucial understanding just as much as it attracts confusion. I may also be seen as hanging on to those rose-tinted shades but something must have gone awfully wrong along the way. My forefathers have had their fair share of gin & tonic and no party was complete without the waltz or cha-cha-cha but ...  there was never a bad word thrown against a person of another race. Now, some relatives are decidedly more pious in appearance but that modesty unfortunately isn't enough to stop the mouths from spewing venom against another, just because we don't share the same religion or race. 



Prime Minister, you’ve promised Malaysians on your path of moderation. And yet, your silence when confronted with inflammatory statement(s) from your Federal Minister(s) on issues concerning race and/or religion or your inaction in not punishing your fellow party leaders for seditious statements (notwithstanding calls to abolish the Sedition Act given that the Act merely operates as a political weapon against opposition leaders, academics and dissenters) or even your acts of ‘recognising’ these bad apples, begs us Malaysians one burning question. When can we expect hints of leadership from you in these times of need? Moderate Malaysians aspire for a better country for our future generations and a country is but a ship which can’t sail over choppy seas without a strong and capable leader flanked by capable crewmen.



Prime Minister, it’s time. Walk the talk, for once. Lead us from the front and prove that Malaysia will not be this time, the new stage for an adaptation of Martin Niemöller’s ‘First they came’ –




First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.


Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.


Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.


Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.


I am me, a moderate Muslim. My personal sins may delay Heaven's welcome in the hereafter, I know. But I also trust that God will not condemn me to an eternity of Hell just because I speak for another of a different religion.  

The sweetness of a honey ponkan

During my days in KL, only two things reminded me that the Chinese New Year was around the corner. The first has to be McDonald's Prosperity burgers where a year's wait is forgotten the moment I sink my teeth into those black-peppered beef patties . The second was getting golden coloured ang-pows every time I had a meal at an Old Town outlet. There was nothing special to differentiate that one festive day from other days.

 

Having moved to Penang, it is evidently clear that when it comes to celebrating CNY, the Penangites are heads above their KL counterparts. Although Penang is a predominantly Chinese state, that fact didn't spare me from a constant state of awe at the magnitude of their revelry. For a person who's only used to seeing few houses with (tiny & inconspicuous) red lanterns, I am now literally seeing red everywhere! This morning, I was greeted by a giant red cloth hanging on my neighbour's door. I drove to office and the normal roads I regularly take are dotted with humongous lanterns. Even the temples found a sense of renewed joy, if that can be concluded from the brightly coloured lighting decorations adorning every parameter of the hallowed grounds.   

 

Judging from the amount of honey ponkans I've received so far, I'm now stuck in a very difficult dilemma. There was no way I could reject the mandarin oranges from well-meaning friends and colleagues. So, when I fly home tomorrow night, I may just have to utilise my hand carry and transport these ponkans to Subamg. At the very least, I know my mum and sisters will devour these sweet oranges (but a source of hell for coughs and phlegm) over the long weekend. The only problem is to consider how I'll manage my luggage, the ponkans and whatnots on the public bus to the airport!

 

While some may be eating their kangkungs in the new year, I wish on each honey ponkan that we eat that this year brings new beginnings, prosperity and a prayer that our Government stop themselves from making the average Malaysians suffer. The sweetness of a honey ponkan, no matter how good, is no match for a bitter aftertaste of subsidy cuts, increased rates and growing unemployment statistic.

 

Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!