APRIL 30 — Malaysians on the whole, are a decent bunch of people. They can show great kindness and generosity, have some amazing food, are proud of their cultural heritage, and until recent years, used to be the epitome of the famous slogan that Malaysia Airlines used to use so often. I can remember many years ago when I was still studying and working in New Zealand, seeing the advertisements on TV, and being so proud of that very line, ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’. We used to cheer and whoop whenever the ad appeared on TV.

It was a sentiment that was echoed by many of us Malaysians living overseas. I came back to live and work in this beautiful country of ours believing that I could be a part of that dream. After all, we hold a special place in South East Asia. Most surrounding countries are fairly mono-cultural, with the only significant exception being our neighbour Singapore. We are a collection of many ethnicities that lived peacefully together for long before the official formation of the Federation of Malaysia.

Sadly, too much has changed in recent years. For me, I noticed the change once I heard the slogan of 1Malaysia being yelled out some 5 years ago, but there was a significant shift in the wind after the GE13 (13th General Elections), which everyone felt. The Bersih Malaysia movement, which was totally legitimate and only sought to ensure clean and fair elections for all, was completely stomped on by the authorities and its ringleaders vilified. So many unpleasant stories came to ​light​. We heard of the indelible ink being not so indelible. Airforce Major Zaidi Ahmad was forcefully terminated from service following his whistleblowing, when all he did was to report the fact that the ink was not what the government said it was. A proud Malaysian veteran of 27 years, dishonourably discharged simply for the act of raising legitimate concerns which any citizen should be entitled to do.

We heard of the electricity supply in polling stations mysteriously going out, which could have allowed for any number of indiscrepancies in the collection of votes. There were all the stories of phantom voters from foreign lands that were promised an Identity Card, simply for voting for BN. As a mixed race Sarawakian / New Zealander, I even faced scrutiny from media who were covering the voting, when I drove the 400 plus kilometres from Kuching back to my hometown of Sibu just to vote. Yes, I had to drive; because all the extra flights that the government “promised” were not available. They were worried I was a phantom voter. When I replied in my native Foochow dialect, we all shared a laugh, and they were satisfied I was not a mat salleh “phantom voter”.

Fast forward two years and what do we have? We currently exist in a Malaysia where racial tensions have never been higher since the bloody May 13th riots back in 1969. Less than 2 years after GE13, we have faced so many disgraceful and disappointing events as a nation since then. There are countless tragedies and inappropriate occurrences. Not only will I not list them, but I also cannot, due to the fact that the sheer number of such disgraceful and sad events are simply too many to remember.

In recent times, Najib’s administration have brought back the Sedition Act, which in reality, only serves to reinstate the ISA act which he swore to retract. It doesn’t matter what name you give it, oppression remains oppression. In 2010, the 1Malaysia concept was sold to the Malaysian taxpayer to the tune of RM38 million of their own money, and the slogan bandied around fervently, but in the years after, we have all seen what a broken promise this 1Malaysia has been. Not in decades have we seen the kind of racial tension that exists today. The promise of a united Malaysia has been built on nothing but lies and policies that completely contradict the ethos of what united peoples should be, regardless of creed, race or religion.

The authorities have been swift in executing their newly strengthened Sedition laws against anyone who is not an UMNO supporter, yet sadly, they have failed to act upon those who toe the line of the political elite who have breached those very laws they themselves have set, time and time again. Many such incidences have occurred but none more significant than the recent one being the Crucifix removal from a church that occurred recently in Taman Medan, Selangor on the 19th of April 2015.

The mob arrived, fifty plus strong, contending the crucifix which rested upon the exterior walls of the church, not but two days old. If you were to view the footage surrounding the incident, you would agree that they were confrontational, aggressive, and uncompromising in their attitude. The crucifix was to be removed, as it was deemed a “threat” to the Muslim community, as it could possibly subvert their minds and by some miracle, convert the flock to Christianity.

The crowd was led by the brother of the current IGP of Malaysia, and by some miracle, their actions were deemed “not seditious” on the grounds that no one had died as a result of it, by the IGP himself. How convenient. It is amusing to note the IGP’s fervour in pursuing those who have committed far less serious acts, contrasted to his rather relaxed approach to people of his own ilk.

Alvin Tan, the notorious sex blogger, was charged under the sedition act for publishing insensitive materials in 2013, alongside his partner “in crime”, Vivian Lee. After posting bail, he fled the country and was successfully accepted into America on grounds of seeking asylum. Our IGP, foaming at the mouth for retribution over this perceived slight, then spent considerable time, resources and energy unsuccessfully trying to extradite him from the US

Alvin continues to live a happy life in America, thumbing his noses at the Malaysian authorities as well as some of its rabid supporters, building up a strong case for himself for the approval of his US residency on grounds of unjust persecution from his home country. The more death threats he receives, the better his case.

This, of course is in sharp contrast to the efforts made in extraditing the former Malaysian policeman Sirul Azhar, who was convicted of killing Mongolian national Altantuya Sharibuu in 2006. He currently resides in Australia, protected by shadowy sources, as outlined by the Sarawak Report’s recent investigation.

One must wonder what would be better use of police resources. With crime and racial tension at an all time high, would it be not far more beneficial to the country to actually deal with the problems that face Malaysians on a daily basis, such as snatch theft, rampant drug abuse, and large scale corruption?

Why, as a nation, are we even giving people like the church protestors a chance to even protest in the first place, given that freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right? Where are the government’s priorities? Why do NGO’s such as JAKIM and ISMA have a right to terrorise the general public without fear of legal repercussion for illegally conducting raids, arrests, and numerous other criminal offences?

The use of the word “Allah” by non – Muslims is now banned in West Malaysia. Iban language bibles for use in East Malaysia have been illegally seized and held by authorities for using the word “Allah”. Hudud law has been approved in Kelantan despite it being against the Federal Constitution. Even Cadbury chocolate was unduly investigated for fear it was not halal. The list of legitimate grievances and concerns that the Malaysian public so rightfully hold against these unchecked extremists are simply too lengthy to state in full. It seems we the public cannot rest a single day without more ridiculousness appearing in the news.

Given the current climate of banning things, why not take it further? Let’s go ahead and ban the transfusion of blood between Muslims and Non – Muslims. Surely, if the mere sight of a cross is enough to proselytise a poor Muslim person so weak in his/her own faith to Christianity, the act of transfusing blood from a kaffir (non-believer) to a Muslim would be even greater a transgression. If a Muslim child should suffer an accident where they need an urgent blood transfusion, why not we just let them bleed out and face honourable death instead of accepting blood from “pendatang” kaffirs? Surely that would taint their blood!

Any rational and compassionate person with two brain cells to rub together can see that this is not only a dangerous road to go down, but is ethically and morally wrong. Not only does this behaviour divide the country on racial and religious lines, but it draws us away from the issues that really matter, such as economic progress, educational reform, and pursuing high standards of living.

As Malaysians we must look past the deliberate racial politicking, and realise that it is all a smokescreen to distract us from the truth, whilst a power-mad ruling party desperately holds on to its tattered reins of power, using whatever means they can to stay on top.

We must look at the things that make us a nation, not as weaknesses but as strengths. Our racial and cultural differences are what make us unique in the eyes of the world. Instead of allowing ourselves to be blinded by our religious and ideological differences, we should study what makes our beliefs good, instead of using them against each other, because if we don’t, then those beliefs aren’t worth fighting over in the first place.

Those who have incited this racial intolerance must be held accountable, and the country must return to some semblance of normalcy, before this whole country falls apart at the seams. If we are to truly honour the memories of the lives lost in both the MH370 and MH 17 disasters, then we must remind ourselves of what we once were.

Malaysia Truly Asia.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.