Saifuddin, who led the government’s Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMM) before he switched to the opposition camp, said Malaysians should take their diversity seriously and passionately, or risk incidences that can be interpreted as insensitive to other cultures.
“Diversity is our unique feature and our source of strength,” the former deputy higher education minister told FMT.
Earlier, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry apologised for its Chinese New Year advertisement in Chinese-language dailies, featuring a rooster instead of a dog, the zodiac animal for the new lunar year.
Oil giant Petronas too made an error, and apologised to the Chinese community for issuing white “ang pau” packets.
The colour white for “ang pau” – the red packet of cash gift given during the new year festivities – is considered unlucky, as Chinese culture associates the colour white with solemn occassions.
Saifuddin said the episode showed that Malaysians, especially the young, should educate themselves about other races and religions.
“Know them in the real sense of the word, not in the framework of framework, but understanding, interacting and working together in peace and harmony,” he said.
Professor Mohd Tajuddin Rasdi agrees, saying the “rooster” and “ang pow” episode shows people seem to know less about other communities.
The University UCSI lecturer, who has advocated greater interaction across cultures in Malaysian schools, said local popular culture is also to blame.
He said compared to neighbouring Singapore, Malaysian popular culture lacked intercultural interaction.
He gave the example of popular Singapore television series Pua Chu Kang, in which an ethnic Sikh actor plays the role of an ethnic Chinese.
“There are also Malays in the series. Here, local dramas are more on the Malay culture. It promotes isolation of culture,” he said.
He said the situation is similar to local learning institutions where students have deep ignorance of “the other”.
“What happens to those who grow up watching local dramas, and teachings that further promote isolation?” he asked.