AS global communities recoil in the face of religious terrorism and attempt to grasp the aftermath of violent attacks that are becoming dangerously frequent across Europe, calls for moderation are becoming more urgent and distinct.

Religious extremism and intolerant views that completely disregard every ounce of civility and logic have become increasingly widespread and humankind’s key to survival lays with discourse and education, amongst other things.

Ever since stepping into power, Prime Minister Najib Razak has carefully portrayed a fathomable moderate version of what Malay Muslims ought to be. During the International Wasatiyyah Seminar held earlier this year, he stated that his administration would seek a “fairly balanced, moderate, fair and equitable” form of system and assured that the government would “not practice extreme dictatorship which can lead to excesses and blind obsession” which could in turn lead to an extremist ideology or creed.

By citing the interconnecting principles of Wala’ (loyalty), Wasatiyyah (moderation) and Tabayyun (understanding) – highly regarded Islamic values needed to combat extremist ideologies – Najib further reassured that the practise of moderation was not a sign of weakness, but of strength.

However, for most Malaysians, the vision that he presents is nothing more than a smokescreen to deflect international political pundits and quite possibly an attempt to appease non-Malay Muslim voters who may be gullible enough to believe his rhetoric.

Prime Minister Najib is the president of UMNO, a party that is infamous for hate-filled speeches and for playing the ever-so-dangerous race card (more evident during the party’s annual general assembly).

Just recently, the Barisan Nasional-led federal government decided to unanimously ban G25’s book entitled “Breaking the Silence: Voices of Moderation – Islam in a Constitutional Democracy”.

The book, according to G25 spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin, consisted of  “academic articles by leading academics, prominent lawyers and progressive Islamic scholars” and was “ meant to encourage debates about the Islamic religion.” Certainly, the battle against extremism is one that can only be fought through continuous discourse and challenging the perceived status quo.

The practice of banning books thought to be “prejudicial to public order” is not exactly a new thing and has become a rather common practice to silent dissenting voices. Decades of authoritative rule have given Barisan Nasional the upper hand; practically every government institution is under their control and neutrality is an absolute foreign concept.

Under Barisan Nasional rule, Malaysians have seen a feverish crackdown on student activists, opposition politicians, academics and ordinary citizens who just happened to ‘Tweet’ the wrong thing on social media.

Indeed, the illusion of a “moderate” Malaysian has persisted for several years now, despite its almost nonexistence in reality. In other words, “moderate” Malaysians have now become somewhat of an endangered species. Our country under the present ruling elite has creatively exploited a psychological warfare of sorts, by manipulating our hopes and creating a twisted sense of denial; the government clearly counts on ignorance and fear to assert their absolute control over its citizens.

The country’s leadership has devoted much of its power and authority to establishing itself as the leading voice for Islam and a role model for Muslims in the region. Unfortunately, by doing this, it has also given a platform for extremism to flourish and intolerance to become the new ‘social norm’.

UMNO, through decades of unfettered nationalism is regarded as an organisation that spreads anti-diversity and fascist-like vitriol through its extensive government sanctioned propaganda system. The ruling elite and, to an extent, the entire system have become subservient to Najib’s “revolution” that employs fear-mongering tactics to further divide an already polarised nation.

During a Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) conference meeting held in 2014, Najib once stated that “moderation in the multicultural society is the foundation of what Malaysia has become today” and acknowledged that national integration is what our country needed. Unfortunately for us, three years later, Malaysians have yet to see anything tangible, concrete and assuring – the present administration preaches moderation abroad but supports aggression and fascist-like rule domestically.

Extremism, intolerance and bigotry were never at the heart of Malaysia’s vision but considering how desperate the present administration have become, it has now become ‘core values’ that are constantly shoved down our throats. Our task is to ensure that our country’s vision honours what is enshrined in the Federal Constitution and Malaysians are not easily lead astray down a dark, destructive path. – July 29, 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.