A PENANG mission school was recently chastised over a Christian prayer recited at its awards event.

Though now largely run by the government, many mission schools are still governed by boards with some Christian representation, depending on the type of school and its structure. Though fully funded by the government in name, these schools lag behind their national, and even national-type, counterparts due to a lack of funding, often forced to request aid from their alumni and former teachers – and sometimes, even the missionaries who used to run them.

A prayer has joined the growing list of things that divide us along racial and religious lines, whether in education, politics or the economy.

Circulars and guidelines have been issued, and the Education Ministry is investigating the incident involving the Methodist Girls’ School in George Town. This simple but blown-out-of-proportion issue highlights a few noteworthy points.

First, the high level of suspicion on the part of the complainant.

It is unlikely that the prayer was meant to convert anyone, but rather, one for the success of the event, or the school and its students. It was not unlike any other prayer recited at government functions, which is sanctioned.

In the past, such an incident would probably get attention for just a few uncomfortable seconds, and not warrant national news coverage and a police probe.

Have Malaysians forgotten to live and let live?

Second, the oversight on the part of the organisers.

In the tinderbox that is Malaysia today, even the slightest issue can be misconstrued.

Third, the willingness of some quarters to blow up the matter into one that makes the front page.

Fanning the flames has become a pastime made popular by some politicians, especially those who are accustomed to power, but no longer have it.

Things like a workplace misunderstanding that ended up with someone being shot dead or food deliverymen going on strike have taken a ridiculous twist, used as fuel to feed an increasingly raging racial/religious fire.

Fourth, and perhaps most disappointingly, is the position frequently taken by the government in its responses, which, in a way, prolongs non-issues, making them appear as if they are actual national concerns that need to be addressed.

We see this in things from the leadership succession plan to almost every racial/religious matter raised by the opposition.

Malaysia was not always, and should not be, this petty.

Perhaps, part of the problem is that too many of our leaders lack things of their own to say, and all they do is simply respond to accusations levelled at them. Or when they do highlight issues, only some are pertinent, with most trifling.

Previously, the national slogan of the day would form a narrative on its own. Leaders could fall back on it when responding to something that disturbs the status quo.

It also acted as an unofficial guideline, determining the policies and programmes to be formed, or those that were “forbidden”. For example, programmes with the “muhibah” theme for 1Malaysia, or Malaysia Boleh. And, the unwritten rule that race-based policies should be tempered, given the country’s backdrop of unity and moderation.

Maybe this is what we need before the list of things that divide us becomes endless. – October 2, 2019.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* 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.