THE government needs to set the record straight on its stance on the resolutions raised at Sunday’s Malay Dignity Congress.

Under normal circumstances, issues raised at any civil group gathering would be a private affair. It is part of citizens’ rights to assemble and express their opinions.

But Sunday’s gathering was graced by the prime minister and attended by senior members of his administration. Their presence lent an officious air to the event. And, the resolutions and issues raised were highly contentious, such as reviewing the social contract, closing down vernacular schools and reserving senior positions in the government to only one community.

Worse still, the event was co-organised by public universities, which is most unbefitting of institutions of higher learning for students from all communities, and largely funded by the public.

Until and unless the government explicitly states its position on these highly contentious issues, the views raised will be seen as having the administration’s tacit endorsement. This does not bode well at a time when we need to reverse the rapid advancement of right-wing posturing, in favour of more centrist policies.

We respect the right of any group or individual to air their opinions, but as a body that promotes moderation, we are against any posturing that veers to either extreme of the political spectrum. Such extreme positions should not receive official or academic sanction, tacitly or otherwise.

We are also in full support of International Trade and Industry Minister Darrell Leiking, who cautioned the organisers of Sunday’s gathering against bashing minority communities. He rightly pointed out that doing this will only lead to a more polarised society.

That being the case, any forum organised along racial lines is counterproductive. At a time when we are facing mounting challenges on the socio-economic front, we should focus our resources on education, increasing economic competitiveness and tackling the rising cost of living.

The obsession with racial-religious rhetoric will get us nowhere, and will only impede our nation-building process. It is time we look beyond narrow communal interests and put national ones first. – October 8, 2019.

* Gan Ping Sieu is co-president of the Centre for a Better Tomorrow.

* 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.