Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said seems to think that the Malaysian public cannot handle sensitive information. She recently warned non-Muslims against openly voicing their opinions about Islam, saying, “I don’t speak about your religion; so don’t speak about mine.”
Azalina may have made her remark in reference to Vivian Lee, who was jailed for six months for suggesting that Muslims should try breaking their fast with Bak Kut Teh, a non-halal dish. Which young person does not make mistakes? Vivian was stupid and her brashness has come at a price. She has learnt her lesson the hard way.
However, most Malaysians are not as ignorant as Azalina makes them out to be, and she is wrong to say that non-Muslims should not comment on religious issues, particularly those issues that affect their lives.
But perhaps she thinks all Malaysians are like some of her colleagues in Umno-Baru and their supporters, who are indeed immature, untrustworthy and given to criticising the faiths of others.
Does she remember the incident in PJ’s Kampung Medan, when a cross had to be taken from the roof of a church because some Malay youths claimed that it was shaking their faith in Islam? Does she remember the seizure of several thousand Malay Bibles which were to be shipped to Kuching? The claim that the word “Allah” would confuse Malays is utter nonsense. This was an attempt to humiliate and belittle the bumiputera Christians in Sarawak, who pray in Malay.
What did Azalina say to the Penang Opposition leader, Jahara Hamid, who claimed that the Taoist shrine in the Armenian Park would confuse Malays? The shrine had been there for several decades and caused no harm. No Malay had complained about it before and yet Jahara demanded its relocation.
When a Malay man destroyed idols in a Hindu temple in Ipoh, the IGP quickly stepped in to announce that the culprit had mental health issues. How did he know? When did Khalid Abu Bakar become qualified to make statements about medical conditions? Did Azalina censure the IGP? If it had been a non-Muslim who had destroyed a surau or mosque, one wonders what his response would have been like.
What is Azalina’s opinion about the two convert fathers who kidnapped their own children from their Hindu mothers? These women had been given custody of the children following their divorces.
Talking about and openly discussing the many aspects of our unique multi-cultural Malaysian way of life is crucial if we are to live in harmony.
In recent years, the foundations of our fragile democracy and the pillars of our multiracial society have been eroded by no less than our politicians and lawmakers. There have been cover-ups and denials, especially in the face of allegations of corruption, injustice and racism.
The political elite and their cronies appear to be working against the people. Real leadership is lacking on both sides of the political divide. Much time and energy is wasted in attacks on political opponents instead of being used to focus on work that would make life better for Malaysians.
Azalina is wrong to tell non-Muslims not to talk about religious issues. Many bigoted politicians say things which cause fear among non-Muslims. So it is only fair that they be allowed to have their say.
Mariam Mokhtar is an FMT columnist.
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