http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/ministers-justification-will-sow-the-seeds-of-hatred-s.-vell-paari
It was truly disappointing to note the comment by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, that the incident where a severed cow’s head was dumped at the home of R.S.N. Rayer was the result of his “big mouth”.
So, going by the Home Minister's statement would he make the same observation if the head of a pig was dumped at the home of Ibrahim Ali, the Isma president or Ridhuan Tee was the result of their big mouth.
Although, he expressed sympathy over the incident, but to justify the act as a price Rayer has to pay for being a big mouth is unbecoming of him as a Minister for Malaysians, as justifying such acts will only sow the seeds of racial hatred.
We hear Malaysians are now engaged in militant activities aboard. If racial acts of hatred are going to be justified, then how long before we see such militant acts being carried out here against fellow Malaysians resulting in innocent Malaysians losing their lives?
So, when innocent Malaysians lose their lives as a result of such acts, will the Minister then say they deserve to die due to the big mouth of one or two of their fellow members in their either their religious sect, party or community?
But seriously, I remember a time when Malaysians of all races enjoyed watching Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s movies, laughing their lungs out over his comical antics. Things were different then.
Growing up in Jalan Ipoh, I had friends of all races, and we never had issues like race or religion dividing us. We had mutual respect and embraced our differences. We ate from the same plate and drank from the same glass.
As a kid, whenever we went back to my maternal grandfather’s house in Kampong Paloh, Ipoh, I experienced the concept of 1Malaysia without it having to be emblazoned on glossy posters.
My grandfather lived in a longhouse, where the neighbours were predominantly Malays. And we boys used to have a great time, playing together, taking a dip and catching eels in the nearby river, which incidentally is known as Sungai Pari.
That was a different Malaysia. It is a Malaysia which I miss. It is a Malaysia which I am afraid our children would never experience, if we do not fix the rot.
These days, the news is full of reports about racial and religious tension.
I am however glad that Malaysians are still sensible enough not to let rivers of blood flow in the name of their differences.
And this is what still gives me hope for a better Malaysia, one where all would be treated as equals regardless of the colour of his or her skin and faith.
I admit that we politicians are to be blamed as well. We have used race for our political mileage at the expense of creating greater polarisation among the races.
Are we progressing or digressing as a nation? Has racial polarisation, worsened by irresponsible politicians and NGO leaders, created a disconnect between the races? Have we become so insensitive towards the feelings of others?
Are we just Malaysians who share the same space, tolerate each other’s existence, but do not integrate? This is not progression, it is regression.
Racism is the shackle that we must break to move forward as one nation.
It is often said that a politician thinks of the next election while a statesman thinks of the next generation. So we must also look at the future of this nation, beyond the next general election.
Our racial politics appears to have mothered a political environment that is entrenched in racism and refuses to implement or adhere to foster greater racial ties. It is holding this nation at ransom.
Currently, day in or day out, we hear from marred intellectuals making racist remarks and sowing the seeds of division in young minds. This is heart-breaking.
We must move beyond mere slogans, and implement policies that would change the mental framework of Malaysians and give them a true Malaysian identity.
To win the confidence of Malaysians, the authorities must act without fear and favour in dispensing justice irrespective of race and religion. Those who cross the line must be punished!
For this to happen, there must be a strong political will. If we fail to make the change, I fear that one day our children would ask us what we were doing when this country was falling apart.
I am just sick and tired of all the racism. Our unity must be real; it must be felt, and not merely perceived in tourism promotion posters. – June 28, 2014.
It was truly disappointing to note the comment by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, that the incident where a severed cow’s head was dumped at the home of R.S.N. Rayer was the result of his “big mouth”.
So, going by the Home Minister's statement would he make the same observation if the head of a pig was dumped at the home of Ibrahim Ali, the Isma president or Ridhuan Tee was the result of their big mouth.
Although, he expressed sympathy over the incident, but to justify the act as a price Rayer has to pay for being a big mouth is unbecoming of him as a Minister for Malaysians, as justifying such acts will only sow the seeds of racial hatred.
We hear Malaysians are now engaged in militant activities aboard. If racial acts of hatred are going to be justified, then how long before we see such militant acts being carried out here against fellow Malaysians resulting in innocent Malaysians losing their lives?
So, when innocent Malaysians lose their lives as a result of such acts, will the Minister then say they deserve to die due to the big mouth of one or two of their fellow members in their either their religious sect, party or community?
But seriously, I remember a time when Malaysians of all races enjoyed watching Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s movies, laughing their lungs out over his comical antics. Things were different then.
Growing up in Jalan Ipoh, I had friends of all races, and we never had issues like race or religion dividing us. We had mutual respect and embraced our differences. We ate from the same plate and drank from the same glass.
As a kid, whenever we went back to my maternal grandfather’s house in Kampong Paloh, Ipoh, I experienced the concept of 1Malaysia without it having to be emblazoned on glossy posters.
My grandfather lived in a longhouse, where the neighbours were predominantly Malays. And we boys used to have a great time, playing together, taking a dip and catching eels in the nearby river, which incidentally is known as Sungai Pari.
That was a different Malaysia. It is a Malaysia which I miss. It is a Malaysia which I am afraid our children would never experience, if we do not fix the rot.
These days, the news is full of reports about racial and religious tension.
I am however glad that Malaysians are still sensible enough not to let rivers of blood flow in the name of their differences.
And this is what still gives me hope for a better Malaysia, one where all would be treated as equals regardless of the colour of his or her skin and faith.
I admit that we politicians are to be blamed as well. We have used race for our political mileage at the expense of creating greater polarisation among the races.
Are we progressing or digressing as a nation? Has racial polarisation, worsened by irresponsible politicians and NGO leaders, created a disconnect between the races? Have we become so insensitive towards the feelings of others?
Are we just Malaysians who share the same space, tolerate each other’s existence, but do not integrate? This is not progression, it is regression.
Racism is the shackle that we must break to move forward as one nation.
It is often said that a politician thinks of the next election while a statesman thinks of the next generation. So we must also look at the future of this nation, beyond the next general election.
Our racial politics appears to have mothered a political environment that is entrenched in racism and refuses to implement or adhere to foster greater racial ties. It is holding this nation at ransom.
Currently, day in or day out, we hear from marred intellectuals making racist remarks and sowing the seeds of division in young minds. This is heart-breaking.
We must move beyond mere slogans, and implement policies that would change the mental framework of Malaysians and give them a true Malaysian identity.
To win the confidence of Malaysians, the authorities must act without fear and favour in dispensing justice irrespective of race and religion. Those who cross the line must be punished!
For this to happen, there must be a strong political will. If we fail to make the change, I fear that one day our children would ask us what we were doing when this country was falling apart.
I am just sick and tired of all the racism. Our unity must be real; it must be felt, and not merely perceived in tourism promotion posters. – June 28, 2014.
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