KUALA LUMPUR – When we utter the word “humanity”, in all honesty, what comes to our minds is whether it truly exists in multireligious Malaysia after 64 years of Merdeka. That is our question.
For the last five Sundays, The Vibes has run a series titled "Humanity Beyond Religion" that featured views on this topic by prominent thinkers of different faiths.
In the spirit of welcoming the new year of 2021, it is obvious that Malaysians hope for a better one as last year was turbulent, with the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the world like a tsunami.
However, it was not just the dreaded virus that affected our society last year. We also witnessed some unfortunate episodes of religious divisiveness, transgressions perpetrated by self-serving political and authoritarian parties that have had an unfortunate effect on our otherwise peaceful communities.
In our journey to seek the insights of the five thinkers for the series, we found the responses to have a curious mix of proud reminiscences and bitter disappointment.
Indeed, while our humanity has evolved greatly, and we are traditionally tolerant and understanding of one another, there are forces attempting to drive a wedge between us.
The rest of the world deems us as a vibrant melting pot, very much akin to the Malaysian mixed delicacy "rojak". With many different races and religions, we are able to celebrate our diversity instead of seeing our differences as a medium by which to oppose each other. In some other countries, such differences even result in civil wars.
With these interviews, The Vibes managed to highlight some key problems faced by Malaysians today that have been swept under the rug for far too long. For one, our very humanity has been toyed with by those in power. All of the speakers strongly believe politicking to be the root of all evil, so to speak, and politicians to be the culprits.
For the past 64 years, many methods were taken into consideration and implemented in addressing racial and religious tensions. However, political stunts come into play every five years as each general election looms, luring the people into the “divide-and-rule” game making them easy prey for politicians eager to attain power.
Malaysia has undergone major changes in the political arena. The related tensions have led to races being divided according to party camps, with politicians sowing seeds of racial discord, resulting in people moving further apart and against each other.
There was a concordant note in the aspirations and hopes of the interviewees. Having looked forward to positive changes during the landmark general election of 2018, the people had anticipated improvements in governance, efficiency, and a trustworthy and fair system.
They also believe that Malaysia needs a strategic approach to take part in in-depth forums to resolve conflicts, and that national unity needs to be refreshed and strengthened among the multiethnic population.
They also noted that the religious sensitivities and inter-racial interests must be maintained based on the principles of the Rukun Negara and provisions of the federal constitution.
Stand up to divisive transgressions
Apart from that, a vital call to religious leaders and scholars was also brought up – to have the courage and stand united in advising against wrongdoings of politicians, especially in not wielding religion as a tool to divide the people. It is worse when these leaders use religion to create fear, to the extent of even eventually making the masses voiceless and live in fear.
Other than that, the problem that has been running in circles with regard to the national language was also addressed. We will not solve the problem by keeping mum on the issue. Tolerance and character-building should be encouraged immediately, just as blame-game and stereotyping need to be put to rest.
Unfortunately, Malaysia experienced ugly scenes during the riots of May 13 in 1969. Hence, we need a common front for humanity to progress into a better nation.
“My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.” So said Thomas Paine, English-born American political activist, philosopher, political theorist and revolutionary.
Malaysians are a compassionate and gentle people. We are blessed with a unique society with attributes that cannot be matched by most other nations. Changes need to be made for the better among politicians to meet the potential and promise that we hold. We have enough endowed by the universe to do well. Yet we have not had enough ourselves of undue political games.
We would be lying if we were to say that Malaysia is a bed of roses, an easy country to manage and live in. Let us hope and pray that someday the politicians and personalities that lead us will come to their senses and behave like proper civilised human beings with responsibility and integrity. – The Vibes, January 24, 2021
View previous parts of the ‘Humanity Beyond Religion’ series please click the links here:
Humanity beyond religion, Part 1: a cry for honest, visionary leaders
Humanity beyond religion: why humanity is the true religion of mankind
Humanity beyond religion embodied by ‘balik kampung’ spirit
Onus on religious leaders to spread harmonious doctrines
Malaysia a sanctuary for humanity no more
