THE recent ruckus caused by the planned advisory from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) on how Muslims should interact with their fellow citizens of other religions - however benign the intention may have been - shows how much there is to do to cleanse our soul of fear and ignorance.
This current government faces the task of dealing with this, while other politicians are using the narrative of racial supremacy and religious extremism purely for power and money.
These individuals are essentially cheap political prostitutes - something you find in every country in the world.
It just seems Malaya has more than its fair share. And I say cheap because you really wouldn’t pay top dollars for them. This is what PMX faces from within and the outside.
We can’t change 30 years of damage in a year or two. Started by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, with a short respite of hope from Tun Abdullah Badawi (one of the most decent gentleman politicians our nation had) and then back to the cesspool of uncontrolled corruption with Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Now we have hope again but must learn from the past. Change takes time.
When society in general has been dumbed down for so long, re-education and upliftment take time, money and power.
We must use the Salami Tactic. In this case lamb, chicken or vegan salami (in case some don’t like the word salami on its own).
If you try to take the whole salami, you’re either not going to get it or you’ll choke on it. But if you just ask for a slice, you’ll surely get it.
It’s only a slice. Then another slice, and another. Eventually we will have half the salami.
Walking the tight rope
This Prime Minister walks a tight rope. He has to keep finding ways of taking the slices , maintaining public faith while he tries to change the internal chemistry of this leviathan we call government.
He also has to keep disparate politicians from all sides within a unity administration and hold back, if not kill the cancerous tumour that is corruption and racism (and this is alive and thriving among all regardless of race).
Not an easy job, made even more difficult by the liberal elite that whine constantly wanting everything to happen now and that he is making things too religious, and the ‘politically right’ which claim he’s neither being Malay or religious enough.
We Malayans are a complex people - over politicised and with egos that are much larger than our intellect.
So, we have a tumour in Malaya. The one of corruption and racism that I mentioned. Chemotherapy and meds are the only option.
It’s unpleasant, often painful - but it will kill the tumour. We must give it time and take the pain. If we truly want it gone.
But Sabah and Sarawak - Malaysian Borneo - has just refreshed our collective soul and given us all real hope.
Like Saudi is the custodian of the most holy sites of Islam, the Vatican is the centre of Catholicism and India for Hinduism - Sarawak and Sabah are the custodians of the Malaysian soul.
Their recent statements, first by Sarawak, followed by Sabah and rounded off by the PM, show that it is safe and secure with them, and there is hope.
I am so proud of my Bornean brothers and sisters. And I am so thankful they are Malaysians.
A leader from Borneo?
Perhaps as the PM looks at eventual succession after the next general election, we look to Borneo for our leader. After all as equal partners to the formation of Malaysia - isn’t it time?
Bottom line is that just unbridled idealism will get us nowhere. We need functional dreamers and pragmatic idealists.
We have to deal with the real world and the complexities of it, especially in a society like ours. Slice by slice, till we get most of the sausage. Remember we must play chess, not checkers.
We may lose a knight, a bishop and some pawns, but as long as it’s part of a strategy to win the whole board, these are sacrifices we must make.
It’s not about making Malaysia great again. It’s about making Malaysia Malaysian again.- February 8, 2025
