THE Pakatan Harapan government must start making unpopular decisions to return the nation to the path of equality, said panellists at a forum last night.

It should at the very least, return the “soul of the nation”, said well-known Orang Asli advocate and lawyer Siti Kasim.

“They should know that they are there to take up office to make unpopular choices and decisions based on equality, as we can’t wait for society to change on its own,” said Suhakan commissioner Gerald Joseph.

He was replying to comments that the new government has not done enough to improve race and religious issues in the country since taking over on May 9.

Joseph said the government has ratified United Nations conventions on women and children’s issues before implementing laws and should do the same now.

“The government cannot shy away from structural reforms although there will be a period of uneasiness,” said Joseph at the Malaysia Baru: 61 years after Merdeka, do ethnicity & religion matter? forum in Petaling Jaya last night.

Siti said anyone could tackle corruption but the new government has to return the country on the road to equality and respect. 

Another panellist, Shareena Sheriff (Sisters in Islam) said although the government has changed, the violence against minority groups was alarming.

“No doubt the minister has spoken but the lack of positive and firm action that violence will not be tolerated is missing,” said Shareena, pointing to the case of a transgender woman attacked by eight men in Negri Sembilan.

She said the duplicity of legal systems was unhelpful as PH has failed to start on the needed legal reforms.

Earlier, constitutional law lecturer Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi said the federal constitution was a fair document aimed at protecting all Malaysians regardless of race, religion or gender.

“The spirit of the Merdeka constitution embraces all where the Articles 5-13 enrich the lives of all persons regardless of race, religion, gender or region,” said Shad, on the fundamental liberties section of the constitution.

Comparing Articles 136 and 153, Shad said the special quotas for Bumiputeras in 153 do not derogate 136 that states all those employed in the service of the country “shall be treated impartially”.

“The former lord president Suffian (Mohamed Hashim) held that there may be entry point quotas for Bumiputeras but after that, all must be treated equally,” said Shad.

The lecturer was commenting on the controversy over about the appointment of Attorney-General Tommy Thomas and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on account of their race.

He added that the constitution does not place any racial or religious quota on the election of MPs or appointment of the prime minister and his cabinet.

“The constitution was about moderation but that has not worked into the minds of most Malaysians, partly due to the weak knowledge of the constitution among politicians and other leaders.

“As we commemorate the 61st Merdeka, we need to go back to the spirit of tolerance our forefathers had,” said Shad.

The other panellists were former director-general of the Finance Ministry Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim (G25) and Eugene Yapp (Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia). The session was moderated by Prof Dr Denison Jayasooria. – August 29, 2018.