MINI riots in Seafield, Datuk Kong statues in a Kg Pendamar surau, people insulting each other’s religions on social media, and now the PPR Taman Manggis eviction. On the backdrop of it all, an Umno-PAS alliance. If anyone thought race relations would easily improve under Pakatan Harapan, they were wrong.

Most of the issues were spun to look like racial issues, even though they really were not. Taman Manggis, for instance, was a classic case of tenants refusing to move out, even though they have far surpassed the need to rent subsidised government housing. In doing so, these residents are denying other more qualified and desperate families without homes their right to living quarters – all the more when photographic evidence surfaced of those “abused” tenants owning multiple properties, and one a frequent traveller, even flying business class. Not only did they reject hotel rooms prepared for them after demonstrating, they were even allowed to barbecue in an enclosed space. Even with all that, they accuse the government of being “cruel”.

A logical person would have dismissed it as a selfish ploy, but this issue was given first page treatment by many newspapers.

Sometimes, the damage incurred cannot be easily undone. The Chinese Datuk Kong incident, for example, was heavily publicised as an example of religious insensitivity, even after it was discovered that the perpetrator was in fact a mentally unstable person belonging to the same faith. The same narrative was still being propagated on social media, and the same incident used as an example of Islam under attack.

This widening chasm of mistrust between religions and races, partially fuelled by a desperate political agenda since the last elections, needs to be tackled quickly, effectively, and firmly by the government.

The problem is that PH seems to lack the strength, resolve, or skill to deal with the issue forcefully. Hampered by inexperience, a delicate national political equation, an edgy Malay-Muslim electorate, and their own promises for freedom and personal liberties, PH should weigh popular decisions against necessary ones. The communications and multimedia minister’s attempt to instil some measure of control online to curtail the spread of hate and vitriol in notice boards and social media had to be reversed due to public backlash, but the reality is that at this point, some form of enforcement is needed to prevent race relations from spiralling out of control.

Education and an introduction, or reintroduction, to harmony and the values of yesteryear can only occur contingent to public temperament being at cordial levels to be able to accept those lessons, which at present, is doubtful. With 10,000 reports to Jakim in a month on insults against Islam, convincing the Muslim electorate that the government is looking out for them, will not be an easy task.

Political parties in the ruling coalition should not expect mercy or statesmanship from their rivals who are out to destroy them, especially those who profess moderation outwardly but instigate their followers internally.

However, instead of dancing to the tune of an opposition that diverts every conversation into one of religion and an attack on their way of life, the parties within the ruling coalition should organize and form cadres to disseminate information, conduct programmes, and counter the propaganda machinery of two parties well-versed in this.

PH’s grassroots politics need to be strengthened, and used as a means to not only convey public opinion to the government, but explain the logic and rationale of certain actions so as not to allow the opposition to manipulate the facts.

The present government needs to step in and step up as well, and not leave things to “people’s movements” as they did when they were in the opposition, because the people who would have mobilised and motivated others are now either working for the government or have gone back to living their lives.

Tackling economic issues will of course help facilitate discourse and improve the rakyat’s standards of living. But Malaysians need something more that they can all rally behind. And it is incumbent on the government to give people that continued reason to rally behind them. – March 14, 2019.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.