A BIPARTISAN select committee on race relations that includes opposition politicians must be formed to prevent the rise of hate speech and hate crimes, said human rights lawyer and activist Ambiga Sreenevasan.

The former Bersih 2.0 chairman said despite a change in government in Putrajaya, racial rhetoric has in fact risen over the past year.

“Everyone must take responsibility for peace and harmony,” she told a forum “Freedom of Speech in Malaysia Baru, ‘Sembang’ or Reality?” in Universiti Malaya today.

“The current situation cannot be left alone. As soon as possible, this organisation should take the lead and civil society will back that,” she said, adding that such a committee should also involve religious leaders.

Ambiga leveled some of the blame at opposition parties who no longer feel they are accountable as they are not part of the government.

“The bipartisan select committee must include Umno, PAS and all other political parties. They are all responsible for the future of this country.

“Right now, they think they can be more racist than before because they are not in control. They are not responsible for governance.

“And what are the people doing? They are keeping silent and they seem afraid when they speak up because the voices are shrill, so everyone else immediately withdraws,” she said.

Ambiga said the Pakatan Harapan government has failed to set a narrative, allowing it to be hijacked by others.

Ambiga was also of the view that incidents of hate speech have increased under the current government, although it was started by the previous one.

“Hate crimes always start with hate speech. I’m sorry to say it was more prevalent in this government than the previous one. The previous government started this. The hate speech and race baiting where no one was pulled up for and nothing was done,” she said.

She urged wider acceptance of human rights as they are universal values.

“You can find it in every religion. It is in our constitution. We cannot live in a cocoon,” she said. 

Meanwhile, Umno Youth deputy chief Shahril Hamdan, who also spoke, said it would be a challenge to change the current narrative in order to foster better race relations, and urged the younger generation to make the difference.

“I think it is possible to maintain a lengthy political career by appealing to your political base, whether you are a Malay nationalist, a so-called, I apologise for using the words, Chinese chauvinist-type or a Hindraf-type leader.

“You could be champions of your community using your rhetoric perhaps in Parliament and people say, ‘Ini hero Malaya.’

“I don’t pretend to know the solution. But somehow the younger generation, in your hearts, I hope you know you don’t need to subscribe to this stuff. You need to assist the progressive politicians to make the argument that this doesn’t work.” – October 11, 2019.