THE late Tunku Abdul Rahman stated “It is the duty of each and every one of us living in this country to ensure peace for all time. What is happening today among the politicians in whose hands the well-being of the country is entrusted is rather worrying.”

Those words were published in 1984 in a book that showcased timeless writings that attempted to make sense of Malaysia’s inter-religious relations.  By no means are these words no less valid today than when they were first published.

Our “Bapa Malaysia” had the foresight and wisdom to establish this country as a nation that could spearhead the democratic movement within the region. Our federal constitution enshrined liberties and protected rights for all citizens irrespective of race, religion and gender.

Over the past six decades, Malaysians have experienced the wearing down of respect and civility, first hand. Of course, many of us can blame our leaders for portraying not so fine examples for us to live up to and aspire. Much like familiarity breeds contempt, ignorance breeds hatred and can drive society apart.

And in 2017, Malaysians are left scrambling to mend the broken in a landscape that favours one side more than the other.

Malaysia’s political system has bred the perfect formula to sustain the present communal disaster we’re in. Political parties within the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition are based on particular ethnic groups and since independence in 1957 until today, UMNO had always been the dominant voice to steer the nation’s discourse.

However, with several changes, present right wing narratives are more driven by religiosity than race. Either way, both present a dangerous mixture that encourages and prolongs enthno-religious friction.

There is a saying, when political organisations feel they are losing their influence and grip on society, all logic and rationale are thrown out the window. Such acts of desperation will pave the way to character assassination, slander and propaganda driven by fake news.

Never have the depths of our division been this clear. The wave of religious extremism and politics of racial polarisation has taken on several interesting forms; from racist comments online and offline, hate-filled protest that, how we treat one another or even how we chose to distance ourselves because of what we eat or how we pray.

Today, we find ourselves engaged in some kind of fight, a peculiar type of struggle and have trouble understanding what our cause is. Present day society, with all the technology and information at our fingertips, tend to hypothesize and emphasise on issues that have a natural tendency to drive Malaysians to opposing sides.

Although, some of us may be close to giving up, there are still many who will not budge and will not look away when staring down into the eyes of tyranny and fascism.

With the wave of religious extremism and the politics of racial polorisation, this type of domestic terrorism presents us a new set of challenges that will need more than just political will to counter.

There is a need to strengthen judicial institutions and law-enforcement bodies to prevent this cesspool of hatred from overflowing. We need to counter extremism’s ideologies with a non-violent vision for a country in which no one feels endangered on account of their social identity.

But most importantly, we need to stop the senseless and bring back sanity and logic into our daily discourse. Our fight today is one that will challenge the status quo by working together to rebuild a nation we want and deserve. – September 16, 2017.

* Syerleena is a councillor at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). She is a Malaysian who believes that our life experiences shape us into fascinating beings.

* 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.