MARCH 8 ― The Kajang by election is around the corner. There was a statement made by Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad that supporting Anwar Ibrahim is equivalent to voting for the United States. This is nothing new because whenever there is an election Anwar Ibrahim is always portrayed as pro- American and a Hegemonic tool.
The question is can a single individual within a disparate coalition such as Pakatan Rakyat, make decisions on his own on issues of sovereignty when the majority of the electorate have been sympathetic to the suffering of Palestinians who are under the occupation Israel a strong ally of the United States? The historical fact that Malaysia’s opposition to foreign powers comes not only from Umno but also Pas and socialist oriented political parties and movement to this day debunks Dr Mahathir assertion. The rejection of the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiation by Anwar Ibrahim reflects this reality.
The pertinent Question that one should ask is what are the conditions that would expose Malaysia to hegemonic designs of big powers? To my understanding a deeply divisive society whether in the social- economic sphere or ethno centric divisiveness, is an ideal context for foreign powers to dictate the cause of this country.
The Barisan National Ethno centric platform that manipulates ethnic fears when its legitimacy is threatened is the greatest threat to National sovereignty than a single individual call Anwar Ibrahim. The action of extremist pitting one ethnic group against the other supported by certain prominent politicians in Umno, weakens the unity of Malaysian society and this in a long run would create conditions of vulnerability that would be conducive for big powers to interfere in the affairs of the nation. This can be observed in other countries.
For example the Sunni and Shite rivalry have been manipulated to the maximum by United States by its backing of the Sunni opposition against the Shite led government in Iraq. The Syrian crisis that started by legitimate political and economic grievance of the population has regressed to a conflict between Alawites and Sunni extremist masterminded by influential elites in Saudi Arabia and Turkey with the backing of the United States, while Shite ruled Iran who has historical religious links with the Alawites in Syria backs the regime of Bashar Assad.
The whole purpose of proxy war led by powerful States is for regional dominance, knowing well that obsessive religious identity has no place for reason and the best emotional tool for division and instability. This in turn creates political and military dependency among vulnerable nations towards big powers. From this example one could see how vulnerable a nation to foreign interference when there is an opportunity to manipulate ethno religious fears.
Base on this reason, it is imperative for leaders like Dr Mahathir to take a deep look at himself and his party ideology which continues to divide the multiethnic population in Malaysia by planting the seeds of divisiveness, making the nation vulnerable to foreign interference. Umno with its current strategy of remaining silent in the face of extremist demands of divide and rule is the greatest threat to Malaysian Sovereignty than any political parties in Malaysia.
For Malaysia to remain steadfast in opposition to foreign hegemony it is vital for political and Grass root leaders to work on strengthening multiethnic inclusiveness by rejecting extremist ideology by words and action. There should be a National collective effort by all Malaysians to the principles of citizenship by accepting each other as brothers and sisters of the nation.
If there is dissension or differences it should be more to do with approaches and diverse ideas of how to develop the nation rather than shape by obsessive ethno religious identity. A collective multiethnic bond that values independence is more credible that ethnic unity of particular race. Therefore the statement by Dr Mahathir that voting for Anwar is equivalent to voting for the United States is simplistic and lacks political depth and wisdom.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malay Mail Online.
