Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

IT has become a tiring, if not annoying, fact that race and religion (2Rs) have increasingly intervened in our collective life in a polarising fashion over the years, especially at a time when what the nation desperately needs are things that can unite Malaysians of diverse backgrounds.

Divisiveness must be pushed aside if the country is to really move forward in such important areas as the economy, education, technology, justice and human dignity.

And yet, certain quarters in our society have a curious yearning for harping on race and religion as if life is incomplete if these things were not politicised and consequently, become a stubborn wedge between the racial and religious communities.

Politicians with hidden agendas have made the abuse of the 2Rs into an art, much to the chagrin of Malaysians who just want peace and progress of the nation.

But what is also worrying is that politicians are not the only category of people bitten by the 2Rs bug.

There are other influential people, such as educators and religious leaders, who unfortunately also see life through racial lenses, which in turn has repercussions in the wider society.

This is why some social media users were upset when, for instance, Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin reportedly questioned the lack of Malay representation in a so-called panel of experts formed recently by the Local Government Development Ministry.

Social media users rightly pointed out that the expertise of the 28 “experts” – a few of whom are Malays – should instead be the key concern of Asri and other inquisitive Malaysians.

What is important is Malaysians must be assured that these chosen people, irrespective of their ethnicities and creeds, are well equipped to take on the task they are entrusted to do, which is to help craft policies and programmes for the ministry.

If fairness is the purported concern of the likes of Asri, why were they not found publicly expressing worry about, say, the lack of non-Malay representation in the top management of public universities, particularly the position of vice-chancellor?

Were they convinced no non-Malay academics have the right qualifications and aptitude for the office of vice-chancellor?

Or for that matter, what about the lack of non-Malays in key positions in government ministries and government-linked companies? Has the number of capable people from the non-Malay communities dwindled over the years?

Incidentally, this may be a consolation to Malaysians who are troubled by the tiresome mantra of race and religion: a few Muslim civil society groups have recently crossed the religious divide to meet the Dalai Lama in an effort to strengthen Muslim-Buddhist ties. This has ethno-religious significance in a divided Malaysia.  

It should be clear to us all that professionalism and expertise are vital in such areas as academia, public service, industry and business – sectors with a big impact on the rest of society.

Having said that, it however makes you wonder whether race is still relevant when the race-consumed people, who are mere mortals, are at their weakest.

Would they, for example, ask from which ethnic or religious background does the blood come before they undertake the much-needed blood transfusion?

Or would they engage in a verbal protest at the operating table with a surgeon well-known for his skilfulness and professionalism, but whose ethnic and religious backgrounds do not jive with theirs?

Our beloved country cannot afford to be held back from harmony and advancement by people who play the race and religion card. – March 28, 2023.