Never again use race, religion in politics

Looi Sue-Chern Looi Sue-Chern Updated 7 years ago · Published on 6 Jul 2018 3:56PM · 5 Comments

Shah Kirit Kakulal Govindji, president of Global Unity Network (Unity), says change must come from individuals before Malaysia becomes a better place. The Malaysian Insight pic, July 6, 2018.

PAKATAN Harapan leaders must never put political ambition above peace and harmony in Malaysia, or they will risk an outbreak of racial and religious troubles, an interfaith group said.

Shah Kirit Kakulal Govindji, president of Global Unity Network (Unity), said past leaders placed politics above religious values, which had led to strained relations between communities.

“We don’t want problems with race and religion any more. If you play with fire, it will spread and you won’t be able to control it,” he said in a message to the new Pakatan Harapan leadership.

“Religious values must always be above politics. You do it the other way, it means you misuse religion for political mileage.

“As politicians, you do not only represent your own race and religion, you represent all Malaysians and serve all without fear or favour,” he said at an interfaith Hari Raya open house in Penang recently.

Racial and religious relations threatened to unravel on several occasions in the past decade, with critics blaming the former Barisan Nasional government for pitting communities against each other to strengthen its hold on power.

Shah Kirit said changing the government to building a more peaceful, united and harmonious Malaysia was not enough, as change must come from the people.

“Malaysians also have to change their attitudes and how they look at other people,” he said, adding that parents have the responsibility to their children to reject racism.

“Our religions are not the problem but what we don’t know and don’t practise properly are.

“We must remember that we love and live together as brothers and sisters.”

The open house, which was themed “Let’s come to common terms”, was attended by some 70 mosque and church leaders at Ixora Hotel in Prai. It was organised by Unity together with Christians for Peace & Harmony in Malaysia (CPHM), and a local Penang Muslim organisation Yayasan Amal Malaysia (YAM).

Shah Kirit said 40 years ago, everyone in Malaysia, regardless of their race and religion, had no problems with each other, but things have gone from bad to worse.

“Who has to change? Me, not we. If you say we, you won’t take up your responsibility because you think someone else will do it.”

CPHM chairman Lee Min Choon said the gathering was only a small effort to promote goodwill and understanding, but the next step is to work together to promote commonalities shared by the different faiths.

He said there were more similarities between Islam and Christianity that would promote unity among the two faiths, instead of differences that caused division. – July 6, 2018.

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Comments

  • Tell that to Bersatu and PKR!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • I remember as a young boy growing up in the 80's with 2 TV channels. The days that I look forward to are Depavali and Hari Raya. My neighbours will give my family delicious delicacies and during CNY we will give them mandarin oranges and sweets. We even give the rubbish collectors ang pows. Time has certainly changed. I suspect that it has something to do with the medias that we are exposed to. People seem to gravitate more towards their own races after the introduction of other race/language specific TV channels such as Astro. Now staying in Subang Jaya, I still continue the practice of giving away mandarin oranges and sweets to my neighbours together will my children. Hope this trend will continue or be revived again.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ordinary Person · Reply

  • Shah Kirit? Wow, what a hypocrite!

    Posted 7 years ago by Raks Aksa · Reply

  • As laudable as the advice is it will take another generation or two for hot issues of race and religion to be exorcised from our body politic. Even that is optimistic, for such is the reality on the ground today.

    Posted 7 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • I believe majority of Malaysians from all different races and religions can live in harmony.

    It's always the politicians are the ones who always use race and religion for their own personal gain.

    The PH govt must take tough and firm actions to make sure that those who use race or religious issues are charged and put in jail immediately. There's no other way around it.

    Malaysia is a multi race and religious country and all Malaysians have always been living in harmony for generations. It's the politicians that's causing disharmony in Malaysia.

    Posted 7 years ago by K Teoh · Reply