In response to G33 letter to The Star (January 12, 2015) — Tariq Ismail and Amir Isa

JANUARY 16 — In commenting on the statement issued by the G33 which was published in The Star (January 12, 2015), we agree that there are many freedoms and liberties accorded to all the races in the practice of their religion and culture. It is also true that there are no restrictions for the other races to work and do business in our beloved homeland.

However, we feel that these freedoms, liberties and absence of restrictions should apply equally to ALL ethnic groups in the county as their Constitutionally-guaranteed rights as citizens INCLUDING Malays and Muslims.

These Constitutionally-guaranteed rights and the principles of Rukunegara reflect and preserve the rich and colourful co-mingling of cultures and the economic and social freedoms that is Malaysia, and which has made us one of the most beautiful and desirable countries to live and invest in.

We are committed to ensuring that this happy state of affairs continues into the future as we transform into a fully-developed nation in every sense of the word, in line with our Wawasan 2020 mission.

Therefore, we cannot remain indifferent to the threats against national unity and the tensions that are rising as Malaysians see intolerance over race and religion gathering pace. As each new fatwa, decree or directive is issued, impinging on the personal matters of religion, faith or belief, we appear to step ever nearer to becoming a totalitarian state with moral police, thought police or belief police monitoring and controlling what are entirely private matters for each individual.

We are implacably opposed to any form of state control over, or interference in, the religious beliefs and practices of individuals, irrespective of the faith, denomination thereof and ethnic group that an individual belongs to as long as those practices are within the bounds of our Constitution.

The G33 statement also talks about glaring economic and income inequalities in the country. However, we point out that the inequality within the Malay community is greater than the inequality between the Malays and non-Malays.

This shows that existing affirmative action policies have had limited success in advancing the economic standing of a few individuals but have failed to materially impact the vast majority of Malays who remain painfully underprivileged.

That is why the government is changing its policy to help those who really need assistance, for clearly the broader failure of the NEP must be addressed if its objectives are to have any realistic chance of being attained. At the same time, we feel strongly that similar policies need to be put in place to assist underprivileged members of other ethnic groups so that all Malaysians may prosper together.

We are of the view that addressing economic inequality for all Malaysians as well as other issues such as our economy; our education and healthcare policies and systems; and threats to our harmonious multi-racial, multi-faith society are far more relevant issues.

We believe these issues should be at the top of our government's priorities as it goes about the worldly business of the running and building a nation and it is our fervent hope that we all permit it to do so — without the constant distraction of friction over race and religion.

In respect of the preference of Malays at large for Syariah laws, we have to respectfully point out that such an assertion requires beforehand, an extensive discourse leading to a consensus before we can be sure that this statement holds absolutely true.

As we do not speak for the majority, neither can we say the G33 holds the voice of the Malay majority. Hence there is a need for discourse so as to ensure the Malays at large do understand the position of Syariah law today, and how that position and the practice of Islam changes with the direction recommended by G33 and those of their ilk.

It is precisely for this reason that we support the call of the 25 eminent Malays for a consultative process on the unresolved disputes on the position and application of Islamic laws in our country.

It is precisely for this reason that we signed the Iam#26 petition and if the G33 are genuinely concerned about the wishes of Muslims then they — like us — should be concerned to first find out what those wishes are and we invite them to join us in signing the Iam#26 petition in support of those 25 eminent Malays.

* Tariq Ismail and Amir Isa are with Aura Merdeka.

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