In search of bullies in Muslim-majority Malaysia

Mustafa K. Anuar Mustafa K. Anuar Updated 7 years ago · Published on 3 May 2019 9:19PM · 8 Comments

The claim that Malay-Muslims are being bullied by non-Malays and non-Muslims is both unfounded and dangerous. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 3, 2019.

THE planned rally tomorrow promises to give voice to a supposedly “growing sense of fear and isolation” among the Malays and Muslim community.

Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin put it rather bluntly and emotively: Muslims are being bullied under Pakatan Harapan rule.

Either way, the big picture painted here is of victimhood of the Malay-Muslim majority in Malaysia – which presumably necessitates urgent protection and iron-clad defence against purported threat of those outside of the said community, i.e. non-Muslims.

Indeed, these accusations are to be taken seriously as they could give rise to suspicion, frustration, distrust, fear, anger, hatred and even raging madness – not necessarily in that order – among Malaysians.

Needless to say, the above emotions and state of mind in a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multireligious society such as Malaysia are potentially combustible.

A collective mentality that perceives itself under siege faces the risk of being conveniently exploited, especially by those with hidden agendas and vested interests that are not in line with the people’s hopes and aspirations for a new, inclusive and progressive Malaysia.   

To be clear, certain issues raised by segments of the Malay community (which may also be included in the rally’s agenda), such as rising cost of living, unemployment and housing problem, are legitimate grievances.

But, surely, these are problems faced by all Malaysians, particularly the B40, and not just the Malays in general. Hence, the said rally should be more inclusive.

In other words, this kind of universal issues should not be given an ethnic spin as these challenges, just like poverty, do not discriminate people in terms of their ethnic origin and creed.

Also, it doesn’t help in racialising such issues at a time in our society when race and religion have been exploited to the detriment of trust and harmony between ethnic communities, as well as the progress of the entire nation.

Incidentally, encouraging ethnic-based political parties, particularly Umno and PAS (as well as Bersatu and PKR), to participate in the forthcoming rally in championing the cause of the supposedly aggrieved Ummah would only raise political temperature.

Giving such universal issues an ethnic flavour can be construed as being mischievous at best, or diabolical at worst.

Additionally, these bread-and-butter issues should not be conflated with those of the Rome Statute, teaching of science and math in English and the Unified Examination Certificate controversy because to do otherwise would give the Muslim-Malay community a false impression of colossal challenges that confront and overwhelm it within the larger Malaysian nation.

This, then, begs the vital question: how is it possible that a majority community – in this case the Malay-Muslims – be bullied into a corner by minority communities in the country, when almost all of the major institutions in the country are dominated and mostly led by the former – ranging from the government agencies to the army and police to state religious institution to the royalty?

To top it all, the special position of the Malays and other bumiputeras, the status of the national language, the sovereignty of the Malay rulers, and Islam as the official religion of the federation are all guaranteed by the federal constitution.

Depicting the non-Muslim communities as bullies is a convenient smokescreen for those who employ ethno-populist strategies as well as diverting public attention away from issues that have largely caused problems and challenges to the Malay-Muslim community in the first place.

Let’s take the humongous 1MDB scandal, which involves key personalities, many of whom are Malay and Muslim at the same time. It has created havoc to our nation’s economy and the general welfare of especially the poor, and also sullied the name of Malaysia on the international stage.

Another case, Tabung Haji that is entrusted to facilitate the religious obligations of would-be pilgrims. Who were involved in its financial embezzlement? Non-Muslims? Isn’t this a betrayal of the pilgrims’ trust, which directly or indirectly smudges Islam as Muslims appear to be irresistibly corrupt?

Who were involved in the financial scandal associated with Felda, a scheme whose primary objective is to promote the economic standing of the predominantly Malay settlers? Non-Malays?

It is most unfortunate, if not dangerous, if the Malay-Muslim community as a whole is driven into ignorance, arrogance and diffidence by those who profess to champion their cause. – May 3, 2019.

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Comments

  • well said but tell that to the kampung folks. those who read this site, be it malays or not, already knew the truth.

    Posted 7 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Hidden hands. Hidden agendas. Like the saying goes "wagging the dog". Person of Interest will never accept the blatant fact that their trusted kind over 60 years have "robbed" and "raped" them their future generations. It would have been much worse going forward had PH lost GE14

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • Well yes, it is actually some politically connected, powerful Malays / Muslims who have been bullying the man-in-the-street Malays /Muslims. Asri's "bullying" talk is therefore to divert attention from the actual persons bullying the Malays / Muslims to imaginary bullying of the Malays / Muslims by the non-Muslims. Asri should list down all the instances which he refers to cases of "bullying". As a religious person, he should be put to the strict test to substantiate what he is saying.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • Who dares to bully the Muslims other than their own race? Definitely not in Malaysia .

    Posted 7 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply

  • PH has the urgent task to help the B40 group to move up the social ladder. Education and job opportunities must be created aplenty. When people are preoccupied with learning and work, they are less prone to participate in these meaningless activities organized by the vicious politicking parties.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Does the Mufti know the meaning of the word 'bully'? I hope this article will open his eyes and make him think. I also hope that as a high level religious person he will retract his statement.

    Posted 7 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply

  • It is use by non-relevent political parties particularlly UMNO and PAS to make them relevent again.

    Posted 7 years ago by Masfaliza masmuda · Reply

  • It is truly tiring to hear the Muslim and Malay leaders constantly playing the victim card. These type of leaders are simply irresponsible and do nothing to work towards a better country for all.

    Posted 7 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply