ALLOW me to highlight the particular issue of race and religion in politics as reported by the media, which of late, has gone overboard. 

Readers read about these issues because the media gives these political animals the space for their one-sided views.
 
Mahathir, Hadi and several Pas and Bersatu members thrive on this agenda. 

They are the guilty parties and we should despise them for what they say and do. They use the race and religion cards whenever and wherever it suits them. 

Due to the publicity given by the media, some sections of our society now hail them as political heroes and champions of a particular race.

Malaysian media should instead be filtering or ‘black listing’ them as they don’t deserve the publicity and exposure. 

The media may think that they are doing the readers a favour by exposing these views. But this is Malaysia, not the UK or Europe, where readers are more discerning and have their own opinions, on what is right and wrong. 

Even in the UK, the media tends to filter such racist views or ultimately censor any racist comments made by anyone. For that reason, one seldom finds any news or comments published on anything racial or religious. Not in mainstream media anyway. 

That doesn’t mean racial or religious discriminations and behaviour doesn’t exist.

Politically correct
Politicians love the limelight and media exposure. 

But in the UK, they know that they will not get any media attention when they make racist comments or show bias towards any religion. 

In fact, they will get filtered or censored instead.

Therefore, over the years, they have become more guarded, tried to play by the rules and remained politically correct in order to receive media coverage.

The media on the other hand, often penalises and unabashedly pursues the wrongdoings of any politician who goes off tangent.

We have yet to practice this approach here.

Readers in Malaysia tend to take the news at face value and the majority of them will nod their heads in agreement with statements from racist politicians. 

Where’s the limit?
The readers are not there to analyse and think otherwise. Let alone to respond and retort in writing.

Is the Malaysian media actually guilty of perpetuating the problem? 

Or are they taking a responsible approach by presenting facts and figures to the contrary? 

To many sensible readers, there is no basis to prolong these racial overtures further, unless we strive to be like Afghanistan, Iran or Pakistan. 

Do we realise the impact of such racial rhetoric on the general public?
 
How are the minds of young readers are affected?

When was the last time the media surveyed readers opinions on racism? 

Who sets the boundaries? What’s ok and what’s not ok? 

We cannot rely on the police or Home Affairs Ministry to decide for us and let them set the limits or decide when to take action. Often by that time, it would be too late.

Many readers tend to accept that racial slurs and discrimination is ok, because they are uttered by notable politicians and carried by notable media.

I think many responsible readers find the current situation very sad and evokes fury in the same breath.

Are we not concerned that our media is actually seen to be supporting and giving room to such contemptuous statements and behaviour? 

There was a Malay print media which carried many one sided stories for a particular group, so much so that the racist tag attached to it continues till today. 

Despite the many changes to this media group, for many years now, their brand still evokes racial overtones and portrays discrimination among many readers.

I think popular media portals should not carry such disgusting remarks at all, if we want to maintain racial harmony in this country. 

There is no point complaining about Malaysia’s practice of racial and religious politics when the media promotes such behaviour in the first place.

I am of the opinion that such bad behaviour must be tackled at the source, by not publishing them at all.

I could be wrong, but let’s debate and not wait for the next GE.

By consensus, this initiative could drive home the point that we might not need these irresponsible politicians at all.

Rosli Khan reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.