THE day after Christmas, the world received heart-breaking news of archbishop Desmond Tutu’s passing. Not only did South Africa lose a great leader and its moral conscience of decades, the world also lost an icon of peace and reconciliation.

While staying away from politics, he was never far from the politics of human life. The oppressive regime of apartheid didn’t allow him to remain silent.

The clergyman’s deep spirituality and firm faith in God provided him with the clarity and conviction that apartheid was at root a Christian moral issue. As a Christian, inaction was tantamount to wilful indifference.

It was clear why he was compelled to resist. Among the many quotes that are attributed to this great personage, the one many will probably remember is, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”.
 
He knew what it meant to champion the cause of equality for all peoples, irrespective of race and religion. Wth great courage he challenged evil, spoke truth to power and words of hope to the powerless.

More than 100 days ago, Malaysia was given a new prime minister. Like his predecessors, Ismail Sabri Yaakob was quick to put together a catchy government slogan to rally the people. His was “Keluarga Malaysia”.

In his August maiden speech as the leader of the country, Ismail said Malaysians are “one family, regardless of religion, race or ethnicity”.

Whether it was intended as a feel-good campaign or a beacon of hope after a tumultuous year of political infighting, it certainly wasn’t a promise the urban population was buying.

Keluarga Malaysia rang hollow and came across as mere lip service from a leader who had in the past made statements that had polarised Malaysians.

As the days passed, many realised that it was just another empty slogan from yet another politician with no attempt whatsoever to embody the true spirit of its meaning.

Recently as I was driving in the city, I saw a billboard displaying the words: “Kesamaan tanpa perbezaan. Inilah keluarga Malaysia”. 

Whoever came up with the quote is seriously delusional and must be living in a cocoon to possess such a warped view.

People, even foreigners, who have lived in Malaysia long enough know for a fact that the concept of equality in Malaysia is politically nuanced i.e., and differently interpreted by the privileged and fork-tongued politicians.

Tutu will be rolling over in his grave at the concept of equality as practised in Malaysia. In his words, “exclusion is never the way forward on our shared paths to freedom and justice”.

In the last 100-odd days, there has been a plethora of opportunities and situations where the slogan Keluarga Malaysia could have been applied to good effect.

Yet those who had conceived the mantra chose to remain silent on issues ranging from the questioning of humanitarian aid to flood victims to cheques not being honoured because of their “non-halal” status, proving that the call for unity was pure rhetoric.

When will actions ever speak louder than words in this country? The lack of care for suffering and the treatment of human misery as a photo op and a chance for self-promotion by some politicians not only rubs salt to the wound but makes Keluarga Malaysia yet another farce.

However, the people are once again the silver lining as evidenced in the recent flood disaster.

It serves as a another reminder that resilience is a function of the strength of a community that comes together to help each other as equals.

The tragedy and misfortune illustrate in a profound way how people do care – and not only once every five years like the politicians seeking votes at election time.

The floods have shown that ordinary Malaysians have a heart for those suffering.

Without structured aid or promptings from politicians, Malaysians yet again stepped up and stepped out to help one another.

Brushing aside all political and racial rhetoric, Malaysians reached out in compassion to those whose lives were devastated by the floods. Now this is Keluarga Malaysia in action, devoid of any political motive.

As we step into a new year, what hope do we cling to? If there is anything we can hope for and to look forward to in 2022, it is that ordinary Malaysians recognise what we need to build a “rainbow nation” for ourselves.

With this clarity and conviction, we must then step up and step out with courage to call out all forms of political falsehoods that continue to divide and polarise us and our beloved nation.

It is no use grumbling under our breath. Each of us must rise and find little ways in the coming year to make a difference, with no room for apathy.

As we remember the great leader in archbishop Tutu, we recall his words of wisdom, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s these little bits of good put together, that overwhelms the world”.

As ordinary Malaysians, let us not give up too quickly on 2022. Let us unite and do our bit for the good of this country we call home. –  December 31, 2021.

* Dr Clarence Devadass is a Catholic priest and director of the Catholic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Moral education is an issue close to his heart. He focuses on paving resourceful ways to promote virtues for living in a multireligious society, for a significant life together.