OCT 3 — Racism has caused chaos in our country, constantly. I don’t hate racial extremists but they upset me. They have a mindset that does not progress over time. It saddens me very much, to see that their mindset remains more or less like that of people living 115 years ago (why this specific number? Wait for it). I would like to offer some thoughts on what has contributed to the problem of racism in Malaysia throughout these years.

The first element that contributes to the racist mindset is the deluded or erroneous thinking that divides humankind into you and I, your race and my race. They believe in the inequality between human beings. They do not respect those who are different from them, but rather exclude and defame. Such defamation and riots give them a sense of being in the upper-class. Also, they become overweeningly arrogant by rejecting universal values.

Another element of racism is the economic downturn. Yes, Malaysian economic growth is now at a slower pace. Our currency has hit a 16-year low. I have noticed, that racism has always been timely in appearing when people lose confidence in the money in their hands.  Racial extremists find a target for the bewildered crowd to relieve their anxiety. Now, the subject of their anger is definitely not responsible for the economic downturn. However, in a society of excessively accumulated emotions, some unfortunate people always end up being an emotional outlet. The public’s attention is shifted, and therefore becomes unable to consider economic difficulties rationally, not to mention that they no longer find it a priority.

However, the essential key that fuels the fire of racism is the government, which fans the flame by accepting or turning a blind eye to racism. Our government, led by the current Prime Minister, does not strictly outlaw racists. He and his cabinet have always been unsupportive of assemblies and voices of dissent. However, towards rallies and speeches which are racial in nature, they take an “agree to disagree” attitude.

The government and politicians may not take legal action against racial discrimination, but they must have a moral obligation to condemn, and to make people aware that “well, you have the freedom of speech and assembly, but racism is plainly wrong.” However, in Malaysia, the situation is reversed. Racism is strongly condemned by the people, to draw government’s attention to its harmful effects.

Many will wonder why a government and its political leaders often turn a blind eye to the existence of racial discrimination. History explains that it is due to the majority demand for regime change, and electoral reform. Something similar has happened in Malaysia. So we know that racists can only gain support from authoritarians who oppose political reform but safeguard their own interests.

Finally, how do I know racism is regressive? What happened 115 years ago? The Yihetuan Movement took place in China from August 1899 to September 1901. When I see the deeds of racist people in my country, I recall the Yihetuan’s boxers. Racists will feel insulted by being labelled as Yihetuan’s boxers, but I cannot apologize for stating such an undeniable fact.

* Yee San Mun received the MEng degree in Chemical with Environmental Engineering from the University of Nottingham, Malaysia, in 2012. She is currently a working journalist and columnist in a leading Chinese-language newspaper in Malaysia. She has a special interest in social science, history, and environment.

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