THE Association for Community and Dialogue (Acid) welcomes the statement by Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to the media, that Malaysia has succeeded in managing the issue of terrorist groups, although authorities had to face various challenges. He said the success and effectiveness in addressing issues related to terrorist groups were evident when the Royal Malaysian Police managed to intercept and detain terrorists before any untoward attacks.

“This is an achievement even though it is handled by Intelligence Malaysia, using laws such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 and the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015.

While it is true that Malaysia has been to able manage the threats of terrorism relatively well in comparison with other countries, the Home Ministry seems to be dealing with these issues merely in a global and isolated manner instead of addressing threats through a broader perspective in the Malaysian context. The threat of the Islamic State or other groups should not be seen in an isolated manner. It has to be addressed through a complex reality. Complex reality entails reviewing our national narratives, education and culture.

We are witnessing ethno-religious centric bigotry in an unprecedented scale in the country where religious elites, politicians and youth movements get away with statements that threaten national security. The revival of May 13 threats has been a weapon in use. It ironic that issues related to LTTE, which have been fossilised, have come to life by detention of individuals without bail who have not been proven of any crimes, while existential threats of ethno-religious bigotry have gone unpunished.

When there is consistent hate write-ups in the social media, religious exclusivity and religious indoctrination in public universities and colleges which is a place of rational inquiry and learning, the cabinet and the home minister should have been worried. It demands effective and no-nonsense action. One has to learn from our neighbouring countries such as Singapore where the sense urgency to safeguard national interest and unity takes precedence over narrow political expediency of race and religion. Repeated bigotry creates conditions for hate crimes and terrorism. 

The Home Ministry has not acted so far on bigotry, and this has brought about allegations of double standards and a dent to human Rights and national security in New Malaysia. It is hoped that the ministry would take a holistic approach to national security and pay more attention to bigotry in the country, which creates conditions for hate crimes and terrorism. This also entails reviewing our national narrative and educational contents so that it is based on universal values rather than exclusive religious values. The cabinet has to play an active part in addressing security issues holistically. Let’s not deal with issues in an isolated manner and for political expediency. – January 2, 2020.

* Ronald Benjamin is the Secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.

* 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.