RACISM has become more pronounced and is increasingly being used to divide and rule, Pusat Komas in its 2016 racial discrimination report found.

The civil society group that works for communal harmony added that interethnic discrimination continues to be “quite high”, which is preventing citizens from truly embracing a common Bangsa Malaysia identity.

And what is especially worrying, said Komas, was that many still believed that racist attitudes and discriminatory behaviour were justified, even as Malaysia celebrates 60 years of independence.

Pusat Komas programme director Adli Zakuan Zairakithnaini told The Malaysian Insight that this was despite the government’s attempts to promote interethnic harmony.

“Ethnic discrimination is being committed not just by the government against citizens but also by private corporations against citizens, and between individuals.

“There is a feeling that just because we celebrate all these different religious festivals, we are peaceful and that everything is okay.

“That, when compared with Myanmar or Sri Lanka, we are okay. The reality is that we have a long way to go,” Adli Zakuan told The Malaysian Insight, ahead of Komas’ 7th conference on cultural rights and discrimination in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

The conference is a platform for government agencies, civil society and youth groups to discuss strategies to end racial discrimination and inculcate the Bangsa Malaysia ideal.

According to Komas’s 2016 report, these incidents were classified as occurring in social media and the Internet and in the real world. The report also included examples of racially charged provocative behaviour.

These incidents were grouped under 10 categories:

1. Racial discrimination in the education sector

2. Racialising criminality

3. Racism in the business environment

4. Discrimination based on dress code and service delivery

5. Groups, agencies and individuals that use provocative racial sentiments

6. Political groups, hate speech and racial statements

7. Entrenched racial discrimination among Malaysians

8. Racial discrimination in the name of religion

9. Racial discrimination in other industries such as entertainment.

10. Xenophobic behaviour towards foreigners.

Although the report does not catalogue all incidences of racism and discrimination, it listed 42 serious examples in the above 10 categories.

These include the abuse and inhumane treatment of Orang Asal children in a Kelantanese school, Malay and non-Malay customers being unfairly treated by different businesses and the creation of ethnically homogenous parliamentary seats by the Election Commission.

The report also called out members of ruling party Umno for using racism as a political agenda, Malay supremacist activists for holding a racially charged protest against DAP and the government’s sheltering of controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

Malaysians’ xenophobic attitude towards foreigners were also highlighted and included examples of demeaning behaviour towards Africans, Bangladeshis and Chinese nationals.

“The report does not really quantify the extent of racism in the country, but manifestations of it. Racism is an outlook on life while discriminating behaviour is the manifestation of that outlook,” Adli Zakuan.

The belief that discrimination is still justified is based on a combination of a misinterpretation of the constitution and race-based politics that have endured since Merdeka.

“We find that even some Malays for instance, believe that the government (which is ruled by Malay party Umno) does not do enough for the community,” said Adli Zakuan.

“They feel that the discrimination against other communities is justified”.

As feelings of communalism deepen in some sections of the Malay community, it also makes minority groups more conservative.

“This is both a local and global trend,” said ,” said Adli Zakuan citing the rise of white nationalism, and the Sarawak for Sarawakians  as examples.

Some Malaysians of Indian descent are turning to India’s Hindu supremacist party the BJP as a source of empowerment, he said as the community feels even more shoved to the margins.

To end discrimination and promote more inclusivity, Adli Zakuan believes that Malaysia has to stop race-based politics and move to a form of politics that looks at needs rather than identity.

It is here that he sees positive signs such as how a new Malay-based party, Bersatu is gaining support among Malays without harping on Malay rights.

“Even though race-based politics brought us to where we are now, we are heartened to see that there are now many alternative parties that want to create a new form of politics that is non-discriminatory.” – September 20, 2017.