After Sri Lanka, New Malaysia needs to be more vigilant


THE bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday not only shocked the world but the reverberations were felt here as well.

Many local worshippers empathised that it could have been us facing such a situation. It brings to fore the question as to how prepared are we for such a devastating incident.

Apparently intelligence services in Sri Lanka were forewarned of the possibility of such an attack. Despite that advantage, there was an obvious lack of overt preparedness and insufficient preventive measures taken to avert or at least minimise the extent of the carnage.

It reflected poorly on the relevant agencies there. Those concerned definitely have a lot of explaining to do.

However, putting the blame solely on the enforcement agencies is simply too easy a way out for those responsible in ensuring the security of the nation. 

The blame should be shouldered across the political divide.

The heart of the problem lies within the political spectrum of Sri Lanka and for that matter, for all societies that are multiracial, multi-religious and pluralistic. This includes us.

Similar ideological paradigms can be the root cause as it is based upon communal politics. We have to be alert and proactive to it.

Politicians alike both here and there are still abusing race and religion for their own agenda, especially in the quest for power and position. New Malaysia is still condoning it although we claim to be in transition to reformation.

As in the past, we seem to be in limbo with the same emphasis on communal and religious platforms. We are not making progress fast enough as the first anniversary of New Malaysia approaches.

We must take heed that these kind of extreme perpetrators walk among us and come from within our own religious and racial prejudices.

They develop and feed on our likes, dislikes, anger, desire, envy, etc. They come from all walks of life regardless of race, creed or colour.

They glide smoothly among us as they engage in activities that are respectable within the realms of social decorum.

They choose their surrounding community with great precision so as to ensure that they are trusted, respected and to a large extent, protected.

Most of whom who are in close proximity with them are sympathetic to their cause. They are made to feel that their extremities reflect the consensual battle for their race and religion. They cloak their sinister objectives with mild demeanour and conduct, religious piety, kindness, soft mannerisms and so on.

They move easily in society as they gain trust and most do not see them for who and what they are until it’s too late. It is a toxic relationship that provides the impetus to such horrifying outcomes.

New Malaysia has to take this incident seriously and be vigilant at all times so as to ensure that such a tragedy does not take place here.

We have to enact the relevant laws to prevent any form of religious or racial provocation at every early indication.

Our intelligence agencies will have to be constantly alert to ensure that they are consistently on top of all similar possibilities.

A firm hand on the rule of law and the appropriate rules of engagement are imperative when dealing with such extremism. – April 23, 2019.

* G. Selva reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.


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Comments


  • One way to be vigilant is to get everyone involved in the security apparatus of the nation. There should be a balance of every race in police and armed forces. How many new revelation about the money trail are seeing daylight as the corruption episodes are unfolding in MO1's and 1MDB corruption cases. The failures of our check and balance organisations are daily being revealed during the MO1 court cases. It is really a nightmare of failures.

    Posted 7 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply

  • If we were to make comparison , Malaysia is more conducive for terrorist attack. Sri Lanka bear the brunt of the disaster due to the rift between the leaders who are least bothered about the security and being complacent. Malaysia do have very capable security agency and very stringent in enforcing the monitoring BUT for how much and how long is enough to avoid such disasterous attack. Let looks at the environment that is beckoning for it to happen. First and formost Malaysia is so care free in allowing Middle Eastern and African Muslim to go in and out of the country. Illegals are setting up businesses with out any wanton of fear in being apprehended. To terrorist this is the best gateway to enter and mingle for Muslim are fully welcomed into the country due to the "saudara kinship". Look at KL city itself and Shah Alam , one may wonders that is it Malaysia !!!! . This two site are now a hub and safe haven for terrorists. Secondly the Religious Institution and clerics are indirectly condoning the act of terrorism thru the support of political leaders in belitting the others not of their same faith. Some have violently intimidate their fellow Malaysians not of the same faith. Viola !!!! that is the sign for it is the cue for fellow saudara who are terrorists that it is all system go for they believe that the Security Institution are turning a blind eye. Licence given !!!! Mayhem it shall be. Thirdly PDRM and the Military in the country are extremely lop sided to only one communal. If ever there opinated differences it will not augurs well for security and peace in the country. There is genera tendencies to be prejudicial in approach. A check and balance for the good of the country is for all Malaysian to be part of the security set up. This shall garner the patriotism thru' a united Malaysian Front devoid of creed, race , religion and color. Lastly the undesirable elements especially the evangelical freaks should not be welcome into the country. They spew hatred to further create divison just because other faith are different from theirs. ( Singapore has to be acknowledge on their excellence in ensuring and safe keeping their country from external evangelical bigots ). Right now in our country one can't help to hold on to the suspicions that there are many sleeping cells and lone wolf operators waiting to strike. Sri Lanka has already make known that the incidents were due to NTJ reacting to a Sri Lankan Mufti who was inspired to do something big for the scoundrel Zakir Naik. Strange that Malaysia has already being warned by the world reaction to this infamous con man and yet the Malaysia Muslim Leaders and populations remain indifferent and take no notice of the imminent danger. They feel that anything oozing out from such a man are holy for he preaches their religion, he is "God Sent " and a "Good Man" . The rest are irrelevant !!!!!!!!! Now he is fete and honor where even the devils would shun away from such gesture. Looks like the country is begging for a terrorists made calamities to happen.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply