NO Malaysian will self-proclaim to be a racist. But, are we not all, in fact, closet racists?

In the Malaysian context, unlike most other multi-ethnic countries, we are usually racially charged even if we never care to admit it. Malaysian racism, to me at least, is no better than the Jewish bigotry labelled “Zionism”.

Our racist attitudes and worldviews both define, to me at least, and explain why Kelantan and Terengganu were swept clean by PAS in the 14th general election. No other narrative is rational enough to explain why these two east coast states suddenly made such a dramatic switch back to extreme conservatism.

While 90% of Chinese voted for Pakatan Harapan throughout Peninsular Malaysia, my guess is that equally, 90% of Malays in the two states voted for Malay-Muslims. But, why this PAS variety of Islam and racism? Or, why not?

Was it not PAS that pushed for a shariah-based Islamic state, as per RUU355? Or, was it merely and solely Ustaz Abdul Hadi Awang’s personal initiative?

Was it that which garnered all those votes? Was that a mark of a new leadership in Malaysia?

Beyond rationality

Malaysians are not ideological at all, in my view. Those who are become members of different political parties of various leanings, and fight their causes from within. But, if one is a fully rational voter in any election, we must choose the best person for a specific job assignment.

What if that is not the new quality and kind of racism implicit in the often-unstated argument of Islamic-Malay conservatives? Usually, such views are not publicly articulated, but they do choose and vote in that way when the choice is between a Muslim (defined as “Malay”) and a non-Muslim.

Deep-state capture

For 61 years, since Daim Zainuddin took over the Finance Ministry the first time, there had been a public policy rumour arguing that the finance minister cannot be a Chinese because they cannot be trusted with our new money. “Apa lagi Cina mau?” captured that sentiment.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has finally and publicly challenged that paradigmatic lie in his “Malaysia 2.0” cabinet.

All such equivalent lies must also be destroyed during Dr Mahathir’s tour of duty. Did we not greet Sarawakians and Sabahans “welcome” to Malaysia in mid-1960s? But now, do we not think of them as different peoples? The peninsula was Malaysia, the rest were outsiders!

Do we not intuitively act within our natural cultural preferences, within our similar ethnicity, or race, or religion, when we vote, but still desire for real change? Or, have we really moved beyond all that after GE14? Was GE14 a real tipping point?

After all, when Lim Guan Eng answered “I am Malaysian” when asked by, I believe, a Chinese reporter, if he was proud to be the first Chinese finance minister, did he not capture the spirit of the “New Malaysia” that the PH government has pushed for?

Can we not also admit that it takes Dr Mahathir, who has 22 years’ experience as prime minister previously, to be PM a second time aged 93 to complete his “perjuangan yang belum selesai”? – August 4, 2018.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* 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.