All parties must step in to tell the true facts

I REFER to Ismail Mina Ahmad’s (chairman of Gerakan Pembela Ummah) reported comments about Malaysian history recently. He apparently said that “only the Malays resisted British colonists, Japanese occupiers and the communists”.

Tuesday, 16 Jan 2018

Malayan police on patrol: Malaya’s multiracial military and police forces fought gallantly against the communists during the Emergency. – Picture courtesy of the National Archives.

His comments are grossly inaccurate, racist, irresponsible and seditious in nature.

The non-Malays too resisted British rule in Malaya. For example, the All-Malaya Council of Joint Action (AMCJA) – a federation of mainly political parties and trade unions formed in 1946 – championed for a united Malaya including Singapore; a popularly elected central legislature and state councils; and a citizenship granting equal rights to all who made Malaya their permanent home and the object of their undivided loyalty.

Indeed, AMCJA together with Putera (Pusat Tenaga Rakyat comprising Malay left-wing parties such as Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya, Angkatan Pemuda Insaf and Angkatan Wanita Sedar) organised a Malaya-wide hartal on Oct 20, 1947 to demonstrate their opposition to British rule.

Regarding resistance to Japanese rule, the non-Malays too played a major role. For example, the Chinese in Sabah formed an anti-Japanese movement known as Kinabalu Guerillas under the leadership of Albert Kwok Fen Nam which was also supported by the indigenous people, Eurasians and Sikhs (including Subedar Dewa Singh).

On the night of Oct 9, 1943, the Kinabalu Guerillas attacked the Japanese soldiers and managed to capture Tuaran, Menggatal and Jesselton (present-day Kota Kinabalu). More than 50 Japanese soldiers were killed. The Japanese launched a counter attack on Oct 13 and quickly recaptured these three towns.

One must also not forget the role played by Sybil Kathigasu and Gurchan Singh (Lion of Malaya) who supported the resistance during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya.

Ismail Mina’s unkindest cut of all was to assert that “only the Malays had battled the communists”. Malaya’s then multiracial military and police forces fought gallantly against the communists.

Many Chinese officers with the Malayan Special Branch too sacrificed their lives in gathering information about the communists. British and the armed forces of other Commonwealth countries (including Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Rhodesia) also played a major role in quelling the communist rebellion.

Enough is enough! It’s time to act. I believe that all necessary parties will have to step in and take the necessary action so that the true history of our beloved nation is told to our young.

DR RANJIT SINGH MALHI

Kuala Lumpur

https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2018/01/16/all-parties-must-step-in-to-tell-the-true-facts

THE increasing tide of divisive rhetoric and actions, which threaten our national harmony and make a mockery of our proclaimed adherence to moderation, is causing alarm among concerned citizens.

Tuesday, 16 Jan 2018

As the 14th general election approaches, this tide is becoming a tidal wave. Now, hate politics is also coming into the picture so much so that the Prime Minister has recently come out strongly against it.

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam has given an excellent list of proposals on how to combat this hate politics in his letter, “Keep hate politics out of GE14” (The Star, Jan 9).

For sustained national harmony and to minimise the impact of hate politics, I think Malaysian citizens should adopt and practise a certain code of ethical conduct. In this respect, I would urge concerned Malaysians to adopt and practise the Dialog Rakyat code of ethical conduct and make it our New Year resolution. The code of ethical conduct is as follows:

> Respect for one another regardless of ethnicity, religion, geographical region, status or political leaning; and

> Recognition of our similarities and acceptance of our differences.

We, the concerned and responsible citizens of Malaysia agree to:

> Respect the Federal Constitution and uphold the Rukunegara so as to preserve the independence and sovereignty of our nation;

> Promote activities that nurture civic consciousness, civic nationalism, patriotism, national cohesiveness, harmony and unity at all levels of society;

> Advocate justice and fairness, transparency and integrity in all aspects of management and governance;

> Resolve contentions and differences through constructive engagement, always seeking for equitable, mutually beneficial outcomes;

> Refrain from actions that offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate others;

> Reject any form of discrimination, bigotry, extremism, unjustified acts causing harm to any individual or group, including any action that can disrupt harmony and cohesion; and

> Fight corruption and kleptocracy at all levels and in all its manifestations.

We, the concerned and responsible citizens of Malaysia, resolve to:

> Adhere to and promote the Code of Ethical Conduct, and to

> Mobilise citizens towards a Citizen Movement for National Cohesion and Unity.

This code of ethical conduct is the outcome of the first Dialog Rakyat on National Cohesion and Unity held in December 2016. Since then, three other dialogues have been convened to translate the code of ethical conduct into “actionable practices” respectively for individuals, universities and community groups such as residents associations and rukun tetanga.

Dialog Rakyat is an initiative of seven organisations initially, Association of Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason (PCORE), Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE), Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS), Nation Building School (NBS), G25, Inter-faith Spiritual Fellow­ship (INSaF) and Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI). They were joined later by Yayasan 1Malaysia and the National Council of Women’s Organisations, Malaysia (NCWO).

The dialogues have been jointly convened by a number of universities, residents associations and rukun tetanga. More are planned for 2018 to get the support of other organisations and citizen groups.

We can continue to express concern and assign blame about the unhealthy development in our country but we cannot control the action of those with selfish agendas. It is better therefore to focus on what we can control – ourselves – and together we CAN make a difference.

TAN SRI OMAR ABDUL RAHMAN

Chair, Organising Committee

Dialog Rakyat for National Cohesion and Unity

Kuala Lumpur

https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2018/01/16/focused-on-making-a-difference

Please be fair and inclusive - RAMON NAVARATNAM

ALMOST all Malaysians would have been shocked and deeply disappointed by the divisive discussions that took place at the recent “Rise of the Ummah” convention.

Tuesday, 16 Jan 2018

RAMON NAVARATNAM

It was even more depressing to hear that a former senior education officer, Datuk Raof Husin, had urged the Government to “return the exclusive right of government scholarships to bumiputra students and do not give them to others”.

For crying out loud, what was Raof doing right through his long career in the education service? Was he promoting or degrading national unity? I wonder how he got away with this anti-national unity attitude. Has he got so many followers that people can legitimately ask: “Is our Government condoning this negativity and divisiveness?”

The other shocker emerging from this conservative convention was the equally damaging statement by Muslim cleric Ismail Mina Ahmad who reportedly tried to erase the great patriotic contributions and ultimate sacrifices made by non-Malays, especially in the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysia police, in the defence of our dear country. How can anyone be so unfair and discriminatory to our fellow citizens unless they are blatantly racial?

It is also laudable that the secular group Bebas spokesman Azrul Mohd Khalib has boldly called on Malaysians to reject the demands of this negative and conservative convention. Bebas has rightly pointed out “the real need to focus on the future, where we do not need to depend on racial discrimination and bigotry to succeed”. Bebas is so rational and right.

Many other loyal individuals and organisations have also bravely spoken up. The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism led by its president Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan, MIC treasurer-general Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari, and MCA Religious Harmony Bureau chairman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker have all stoutly spoken against this threat to national unity from the parochial conservative convention.

But the Government has surprisingly been quiet so far. “Why?” I wonder. The Government should come out against racist and unrighteous remarks. It is indeed expected by all right-thinking Malaysians, especially voters, to state its firm stand against divisive and disruptive remarks that are not historical facts and against national unity and the future of non-Malays.

Both Raof and Ismail Mina Ahmad have apparently violated the spirit of our precious Constitution and the Rukunegara, which provide the foundations of our national unity, fairness, justice and socioeconomic progress.

Should the Government not take the lead by expressing its official stand against attempts to cause public restlessness, disharmony and even unrest?

In fact, the authorities could be reasonably expected to take appropriate action under the laws of the land against those who undermine national unity.

So many Malaysians would appeal to the Government to please be fair and inclusive and to actively promote national unity in our beloved country. This is particularly pertinent at this time before the 14th general election.

A positive move by the Government would definitely benefit all patriotic Malaysians who will be grateful for its leadership to effectively promote greater peace and harmony in our nation.

TAN SRI RAMON NAVARATNAM

Chairman

Asli Center of Public Policy Studies

https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2018/01/16/please-be-fair-and-inclusive/

Uphold Federal Constitution and Rukunegara to preserve national harmony

TOLERANCE has been commonly and consistently propagated around the world as an important tool for people of different beliefs, ethnicity and nationalities to coexist and work together for the betterment of their nation.

Wednesday, 25 Oct 2017

In multireligious and multi-ethnic societies like Malaysia, tolerance among the different communities is essential and achievable if there is mutual effort from all parties concerned.

Religious beliefs, which are the source of moral and ethical fundamentals in society, must be duly respected through mutual tolerance.

Islam emphasises that its followers should be considerate and tolerant to others, including non-Muslims. Likewise, non-Muslims are required to have a sense of tolerance towards Muslims in the same manner as Islam requires Muslims to have tolerance towards them.

The Rukunegara, which was introduced following the May 13, 1969 incident, is aimed at achieving national and racial harmony and unity, the key ingredient for the success and stability of the country.

An important component of the Rukunegara is the principle of good behaviour which encompasses the duty to be considerate of others and not to belittle or mock others’ religious beliefs and cultural practices.

Preferences based on religion only, such as Muslims-only laundry shop, Muslims-only hair salon, Muslims-only patrons of a restaurant, Muslims-only cutlery and Muslims-only sitting arrangements at certain public places, among others, should not be tolerated as this would cause racial disharmony.

Likewise, advertisements that are discriminatory or offensive in nature against any particular race, religion or group in the country must be avoided.

Discrimination on the basis of religion and race is against the Federal Constitution. Article 3(1) of the Constitution says that Islam is the religion of the Federation but provides that “other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the Federation”. Article 8(1) provides for equality before the law for all persons and Article 11(1) gives every person the right to profess and practise his or her religion.

These constitutional provisions must be respected and upheld.

ASHGAR ALI ALI MOHAMED

Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws

International Islamic University Malaysia

http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2017/10/25/uphold-federal-constitution-and-rukunegara-to-preserve-national-harmony/

Concerns raised by Rulers timely, say moderates

PETALING JAYA: Moderates have welcomed the concerns raised by the Malay Rulers about the country’s unity and harmony, hailing them as being timely.

Wednesday, 11 Oct 2017

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said the recent actions and statements in the name of Islam, which have the effects of portraying Islam as an intolerant and factious religion, contradicted the aspirations of the Federal Constitution and the Rukunegara.

“This injunction by the Malay Rulers reaffirms the dignity of every Malaysian and underlines the country’s unwavering commitment towards a more inclusive nation.

“Suhakam calls on individuals and other interest groups to stop acting against the spirit of tolerance, which can result in confusion and disunity, and to seriously take heed of the Rulers’ statement and injunction,” Razali said.

“Malaysia’s diversity of its people, especially in the context of racial heritage, religion and all the attendant diversities must not merely be 'tolerated' by everyone but must be accepted as a given and therefore respected.

“We have no place for any holier-than-thou attitude nor for any superiority complex in any context,” said the former international trade and industry minister.

Rafidah said each person must be allowed to keep their own faith, adding that Islam invokes Muslims to subscribe to the principles of moderation.

“More importantly, no one should make our diversity a political capital in order to win the support of the gallery, and to achieve personal or group or base ulterior motives.

“Every Malaysian should be the best person possible, and those doing it now, must stop being his or her brother’s and sister’s keeper,” she said.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said the actions by extremists and bigots are destructive and not conducive to nation-building.

“We will continue to implement various programmes to strengthen unity in our multi-religious and multi-ethnic society based on the Federal Constitution and the five principles of the Rukun Negara.

“It is desirable for all Malaysians to pay heed to the noble advice of our Rulers which is to inculcate among ourselves the concept of tolerance and acceptance,” he said.

Zubedy founder Anas Zubedy said he was glad that the Rulers raised the issue.

“We have to pay attention to the ambition and goals of the Rukun Negara.

“Recently, I have been promoting the idea that we have to bring the Rukun Negara to the forefront, and make sure we use its ambitions and principles as our parameters, regardless of whether you are a politician, business leader, religious leader or citizen,” he added.

Moderation advocate Tawfik Ismail said while the Rulers are the heads of religion in their respective states, it appears that in the last few years, politicians have ignored the Rulers’ powers over religion.

The son of Malaysia’s second deputy prime minister, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, added that the level of tolerance among Malaysians is quite high and that people are too busy making a living to worry about the rhetoric.

Islamic Renaissance Front chairman Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa said that part of the preamble to the Rukunegara clearly states liberal value. 

However, “liberal” has been demonised to mean areligious and decadent, he said.

“This part of the preamble can be translated as: ‘Guaranteeing a liberal approach towards her rich and varied cultural traditions’.

“The word ‘liberal’ is used in the context of something positive and beneficial to Malaysia’s ambitions to becoming a united, happy and prosperous country.

“When we demonise a dignified terminology, this is what we are witnessing – a society that has become intolerant to diverse opinions and lifestyles; a society that has difficulty in embracing multiculturalism and plurality,” he said.

Related stories:

Praise for Johor Sultan and Perlis Raja Muda

Rulers want harmony

Jakim officer faces action over speech criticising Johor Sultan

Netizens: Now up to Govt to do the right thing

Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/10/11/concerns-raised-by-rulers-timely-say-moderates

Diversity of religion should be celebrated: Zahid

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix) said the diversity of religion, culture and race in Malaysia should be celebrated since it has become a catalyst for unity in this country.

Posted on 13 May 2017 - 02:22pm
Last updated on 13 May 2017 - 04:08pm

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PASIR PUTEH: 

The deputy prime minister said diversity was able to create a good political environment to build peace and prosperity, despite the disagreements which often occur within the community,

"Although we have different opinions, we can still live in harmony and this situation has to be translated into other forms," he said when launching the 'Expresi Negaraku' programme at SMK Sungai Petai here, today.

Also present together with more than 10,000 people were Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad and Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Jailani Johari.

Ahmad Zahid said the togetherness that has been forged over the years has united Malaysians against various external elements who are trying to destroy the country.

A good example was the success achieved following the intrusion of Lahad Datu, Sabah by terrorists from a neighbouring country, all because of the spirit of unity within the community.

The home minister said the security forces, especially the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is constantly monitoring and taking action against those who try to conduct terrorist activities in this country .

On another note, Ahmad Zahid said threats posed by drugs should be taken seriously by the community in an effort to build a bright future for the young generation.

As such, the rehabilitation process involving the use of religion by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), was an additional approach to the existing drug rehabilitation programmes. — Bernama

Related articles

• Reject extermism, celebrate Malaysia's diversity: DPM (Updated)
• Strengthen unity to maintain country's independence: Zahid
• Malaysia will become failed state if race, religious respect disregarded: Najib
• Education plays an important part in vertical social mobility: Zahid (Updated)
• Drug NGOs should unite to battle drug abuse: DPM

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/05/13/diversity-religion-should-be-celebrated-zahid

Unity the key to maintaining lasting peace

IN his column “Do we really need unity?” (The Star, Dec 6), Wan Saiful Wan Jan argued that “If all we want is peace, then isn’t it a possibility that unity is irrelevant?”

Wednesday, 7 December 2016

Please let me state the contrary; peace and unity are not separate but complementary objectives or outcomes.

Peace is derived from harmony and unity, and depends on healthy respectful relationships within a certain group and with other groups.

Peace is necessary to bring about social or economic progress. Peace is also dependent on the establishment of social and economic equality by a sound political system that faithfully serves the legitimate interests of all groups.

For me, unity is the key to creating and maintaining lasting peace and harmony. Unity promotes the important notion of living peacefully together or side by side. Put simply, peace and unity are intertwined; no unity, no peace and vice versa.

For our nation, unity helps bring the stability and peace necessary for achieving greater economic and social progress and development.

Without unity, the nation will, in time, deteriorate. Thus, unity in purpose is paramount as “we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided” (J. K. Rowling).

Unity is the social “glue” that helps to bind our different groups together and get them to work towards improving our economic competitiveness and nurturing a more creative and innovative people.

Investors will be more attracted to our country if there is unity and peace among the races.

Ultimately, unity helps us to construct a harmonious, respectful and peaceful nation. Unity is not about forcing groups to adopt a particular culture, religion, lifestyle or ideas.

It is about encouraging us to know more about, and respect, each other and in the process help to reduce friction.

Unity in diversity (of cultures, religions, ideas) is unity based on a shared understanding, acceptance and striving for a peaceful and progressive nation.

NGEOW SZE LOONG

Kajang

http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2016/12/07/unity-the-key-to-maintaining-lasting-peace/

Do we really need unity?

Forcing us to mix may actually cause resentment and discord, instead of promoting harmony.

LAST weekend at the Putra World Trade Centre, one Umno leader after another rose to the podium to call for unity.

Tuesday, 6 December 2016

BY WAN SAIFUL WAN JAN

Forcing us to mix may actually cause resentment and discord, instead of promoting harmony.

LAST weekend at the Putra World Trade Centre, one Umno leader after another rose to the podium to call for unity.

Some were calling for Malay unity, some for party unity, some for Barisan Nasional unity and a small number for national unity. They talked about different things but they used the same word.

The desire for unity is not new. In our own history, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra once said, “We are all Malaysians. This is the bond that unites us. Let us always remember that unity is our fundamental strength as a people and as a nation.”

Fast forward to more recently, the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) was established on Sept 11, 2013.

According to a government website, the NUCC is an effort of na­­tional reconciliation to reduce ra­cial polarisation and build a uni­ted Malaysian nation.

The NUCC was supposed to draft some sort of blueprint for national unity. But until today, I have not seen any real advocacy of such a blueprint to the public.

The NUCC submitted a report to the Prime Minister on June 19, 2015, and after that I am not sure what happened to it.

To me, the biggest hurdle to national unity is the structure of our political system. Our politics is dominated by ethnic-based political parties. Being ethnic-based, their survival is dependent on us, the voters, continuing to be divided along ethnic lines.

If voters are no longer thinking as different ethnic groups, then the ethnic-based parties will find it difficult to survive.

If a Malay feels that it is OK to have a non-Malay prime minister, if a Chinese feels it is OK to have an ustaz as their representative, if a Hindu feels it is OK to have an atheist as their spokesperson, then it would be meaningless to remain as a Malay, Chinese or Indian party.

The same applies to the Melanau, Bidayuh, Dayak, Kadazan, Seranis and so on.

Ethnic-based parties need society to remain divided along ethnic lines because otherwise they will not be able to survive.

This is why when any ethnic-based party feels weakened, they will work hard to cleave society.

This is Divide and Rule 101. The more successful you are at dividing society, the more likely you are to rule over them.

But even though the hurdle preventing national unity is not too difficult to identify, there are two bigger questions that should be, but are rarely, asked. The questions are: do we really need unity, and what is unity for?

Most frequently when people in Malaysia talk about unity, we talk about the different ethnic groups mixing with each other. The underlying assumption is that mixing is necessary to foster a “good” society.

I never quite understand this. Why do we really need to mix? Why can’t we just live our lives the way we want, mixing with only those whom we want, and meeting only those whom we want?

That is really how real life works. We talk to our friends. We share stories with people we are comfor­table with.

We do not talk to strangers. We feel awkward when forced to go into unfamiliar territories uninvi­ted. Forcefully “mixing” people is not natural and can in fact be the source of discord.

After all, do we want to have unity or do we actually just want to have peace?

Many people would say that all they want is to ensure Malaysia remains as a peaceful country. But if peace is our target, then why are we clouding it with the demand for unity?

Peace is something that can be achieved without a common language and without a common identity. You can wear your songket, speak Malay, eat patin masak tempoyak, while I can wear a kurta, speak Punjabi and eat rasmalai.

We don’t have to know each other or even meet each other. The country will remain peaceful if we leave each other alone.

Discord may occur, however, if either one of us is made to leave our way of life and adopt the other’s forcefully.

If I were forced to speak Chinese because that is the “national” language, I might get frustrated.

If I were forced to listen to Christian prayers every day because Christians are the majority in that place, then I might become angry.

Or if a school says that I cannot send my son there because we are not Buddhists, then it is very possible my whole family will grow up resenting Buddhism because of that religious quota. In all these examples, it is the attempt to impose a certain definition of unity that is creating discord.

If all we want is peace, then isn’t it a possibility that unity is irrelevant? If peace can be achieved by people living parallel lives, remaining in groups they are comfortable with, peacefully within the group and peacefully in relation to others, should we still divide them in the quest for the illusive unity?

Wan Saiful Wan Jan is chief executive of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (www.ideas.org.my). The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.

http://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/thinking-liberally/

Malaysia A Model Of Unity, Multiracial Society With Equal Rights - DPM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (2015) — Malaysia is a country which is a model of unity which gives balanced rights to its plural society, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysians have the freedom to practise their own religion and cultures, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa 

The deputy prime minister said the balance could be seen in the freedom of all races to practise their own religions and cultures, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“The minority groups do not need to feel threatened or afraid of losing their identity.

“In conjunction with Deepavali 2015, let us close ranks and let inter-racial unity be the pillar of national development,” he said in his Deepavali message today.

He also reminded the people not to depend solely on social media which could ultimately affect relations between the races in this country.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysians must believe that the different races, religions and languages had made Malaysian society rich in culture.

He said the differences were a unifying factor for Malaysians, through ‘unity in diversity’. — Bernama

Roger 5201 143p · 51 weeks ago

‘unity in diversity’ is like agreeing to disagree when the racially biased policies are stacked against entire communities because of their skin colour. True unity can be achieved only when we stop differentiating and start to think like one Malaysia!

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v8/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1188213
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/malaysia-a-model-of-unity-multiracial-society-with-equal-rights-zahid-says#sthash.Vh0gf2fH.dpbs