When laying claim to patriotism becomes downright divisive 

Mustafa K. Anuar Mustafa K. Anuar Updated 8 years ago · Published on 15 Jan 2018 8:26PM · 6 Comments

Patriotism is not the preserve of a particular ethnic group in a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious country such as Malaysia. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, January 15, 2018.

AT a time when Malaysian society is increasingly polarised by ethno-religious elements, a spurious claim that only the Malays fought against the Japanese occupiers and British colonialists should be condemned in no uncertain terms. 

The controversial statement made by Ismail Mina Ahmad, chairman of Gerakan Pembela Ummah, the umbrella group for Muslim organisations, not only denies historical facts but is also divisive and unjust as it demonises a particular ethnic community. 

Equally worrying, the timing of this publicised claim makes us wonder whether certain elements in our society are consciously trying to milk certain ethnic sentiments to serve their vested interests prior to the 14th general election.

Let’s be clear about this. An act of patriotism is not necessarily the preserve of a particular ethnic group in a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious country such as ours. 

As rightly pointed out by both National Patriots’ Association and Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA), non-Malays, particularly the Chinese, had indeed fought for the country. 

To push aside in a cavalier fashion the important contributions of these gallant soldiers from communities other than the Malay is completely mean and causes unnecessary pain to the loved ones of those who had put their lives on the line.
 
It is also outrageous that such hate speech should come from a religious person such as Ismail, who is expected to do the opposite, that is, to foster mutual respect, understanding, love and compassion within the larger society – when Islam is often professed by most believers as a religion of peace.  And it is especially so when Islam in principle abhors racism, or tribalism. 

Given the serious implications of this claim, it is therefore incumbent upon Putrajaya to set the record straight not only for the benefit of the soldiers concerned and their loved ones, but also for our future generations to learn a useful lesson or two from our collective past. 

For Putrajaya to stay silent is for it to be read, unfortunately, as being acquiescent. 

That said, an act of patriotism needs not be confined to periods of war or armed conflict. It can, and should be, committed during times of peace. 

A person is patriotic if, for example, he or she works selflessly and tirelessly for the better future of orphans or the marginalised in society.
 
Similarly, a patriotic act revolves around a person who encounters and grapples with serious challenges in an effort to reduce, if not eradicate, ethnic and institutional discrimination for the betterment of the country. 

Just as patriotism has no ethnic face, an unpatriotic act also defies ethnic identity. For instance, the mismanagement of the national economy may involve members of any ethnic community in Malaysia. 

To be sure, such an act is detrimental to the interest of the nation and an abominable act that no one – both the perpetrators and their respective communities – should take pride in.  – January 15, 2018.

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Comments

  • When will people get it, for the Malay ultras, rewriting history even facts IS FULLY PART of their plan. They are fascist racist haters. Period.

    Posted 8 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • AND they include Hadi Awang and MANY Ulamas and others that carry their Islamic flags andestablishment

    Posted 8 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • Agreed totally. The actual fact of all races worked together to fight against the Japanese occupiers and British colonialists can never be denied. You can change all the history text book to your agenda. However, the true history will always be there, some places in the world if it is not in our own country. eg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_occupation_of_Malaya. Surprisingly I got these statement from this link: 1. "Prior to hostilities Japanese intelligence officers like Iwaichi Fujiwara had established covert intelligence offices (or Kikans) that linked up with the Malay and Indian pro-independence organisations such as Kesatuan Melayu Muda in Malaya and the Indian Independence League. The Japanese gave these movements financial support in return for their members providing intelligence and later assistance in determining Allied troop movements, strengths, and dispositions prior to the invasion." 2. "The 25th Army's Chief of Staff was the Superintendent and its Chief of General Affairs Department Colonel Watanabe Wataru its executive officer. It was Wataru that implemented the occupation policies. He had a particularly hard line view, treating the Chinese particularly harshly because of their support for mainland China against Japanese. Malays and Indians were dealt with more moderately because of their cooperation." 3. "Just before Singapore fell on 15 February 1942, the party (Malayan Communist Party) began organise armed resistance in Johor. 4 armed groups, which became known as 'Regiments', were formed, with the 101st Special Training School's (101st STS) trainees serving as nuclei. In March, this force was dubbed the Malayan Peoples' Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) and began sabotage and ambushes against the Japanese. ".

    Posted 8 years ago by Shiaw Loh · Reply

  • This is not the first time religious Malays groups and especially from the older generation have, without fear of the consequence of their actions, publicised such claims. Can the non-Muslims be blamed for saying that the religion of the Muslims in this country is detrimental both to themselves and the country?

    Posted 8 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • If this allowed to go unchallenged, soon these traitors will claim that the non-Malays had no part in contributing to the economy as well. Migrant Chinese working the tin mines and indentured Indians toiling in rubber estates will be redacted from history books.

    Posted 8 years ago by Chris Sav · Reply

  • By acquiescing to such racist statements, perhaps the BN govt is practising to come up with the perfect example of a racial threat to call off elections or to prepare to impose emergency rule.

    Posted 8 years ago by Insightful Malaysian · Reply