EVER since the formation of the Federation, race and religion has always been a permanent fixture in Malaysian politics. The aftermath of the May 13th race riots presented UMNO with the grand opportunity to create an electoral one-party state, and Barisan Nasional was formed in 1973. It is now Malaysia’s largest (and most influential) right-wing political entity, with UMNO being the dominant party within the coalition.

The 2013 general elections was indeed a wake-up call for many, one that saw a majority of Malaysians opting to choose a more progressive and more inclusive political system; UMNO had lost the popular vote but quickly understood that using religion would be a more effective leverage to strengthen their grip on political power.

And for the past four years, we have experienced this ridiculous frenzied chaos – the rise of right wing populism packaged together with the inanity of religiosity by overzealous individuals and organisations. 

In a multicultural country whose constitution guarantees freedom, equality and protects pluralism, the ruling regime has conveniently turned a blind eye to the constant breaches to this very constitution in order to demand political subservience.

To add insult to injury, those guilty of committing acts of religious bigotry are sometimes seen as ‘pejuang bangsa’ (nationalists) and are often able to escape persecution.

According to Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN), since 2010, 54,406 people have given up their Malaysian citizenship in favour of another.

With the continued decline that will surely see our country become a failed state under the present ruling regime, many Malaysians feel disillusioned and frustrated with the inefficiencies that exist in a system that was once touted the best in the South East Asian region in the 60’s and 70’s.

The regime knows exactly how dangerous and volatile this game can be but the determination to stay in power at all costs have simply taken over every sense of logic and rational. The socio-political system that exists now is carefully crafted to separate the haves and the have-nots.

In simpler terms, those in the corridors of power have forgotten their responsibility towards the rakyat and want nothing more to do with the majority and would rather play Russian Roulette with religious extremism, with our .

Tariq Ramadhan, a Swiss philosopher and professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies in Oxford, once said, “The strength of democratic societies relies on their capacity to know how to stand firm against extremism while respecting justice in the means used to fight terrorism”.

The destructive cocktail of politics and religion is only a ploy used to add fear to hate, violence and other ingredients that mirrors fascism. We see societies torn apart and government institutions become defunct in the wake of religious extremism. Surely, this is not the future we want for our country. 

And for Malaysians who can see through the lies, insecurities and façade – we can do more than whine about the state of our nation during our mamak sessions with friends.

Rejecting their skewed logic and encouraging others around us to embrace compassion and constructive discourse is our best hope to ensure that our forefathers’ vision for a progressive, harmonious and successful nation for all its people, will not be tarnished. – June 17, 2017.

* Syerleena is a councillor at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). She is a Malaysian who believes that our life experiences shape us into fascinating beings.

* 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.