JAN 16 ― Dr Chandra Muzaffar who spoke at the “Pathways Institute Seminar: Leadership Amidst Controversy” recently said, “It will be the Malaysian Christians who will make an impact at the upcoming general elections.”
There is a political awakening among them, and many feel sidelined and discriminated against, he said. The Allah issue is just but one of the many issues they feel strongly about. Again, a reminder: They are highly educated and earn incomes many envy.
Twenty years ago, he said, there were about 5 per cent of Christians in the country. The number has jumped to 9 per cent. We must not forget, too, Christians of other ethnicities.
There is also another thing that I would like to add, and had volunteered at the seminar. When we talk about Muslims in Malaysia, the conversation is really about the Malays. We fail to take into account that there are other Malaysian Muslims: the Chinese and Indian Muslims, and the first generation of migrants who have made Malaysia their home. Let’s not forget the Arabs! The Chinese and Indian Muslims, and Arabs are some of the economic drivers of the country. Their contributions to the country’s GDP cannot be overlooked.
Don’t forget the Shiites, too!
What is my point?
It would be that these very communities will not just make an impression at the polling booth, but are big huge billboards that should wake Malay-Muslims up. They want to be heard, and their traditions, culture and mindset accepted, and not just tolerated. Add the numbers up ― they are significant.
Many times, I have encountered exchanges between Chinese-Muslims and Indian-Muslims, and the question asked often is why they aren’t accepted as Bumiputeras?
“I don’t get the Constitution. If you are Muslim, you are automatically Malay and vice versa. I’m Muslim, and I’m still ticking off Chinese/Indian on forms. My culture and heritage dictate a long history of Islam, longer than you Malays.”
“We make more money than you. We drive the economy. Don’t you dare say that we are insignificant!’
My response is usually silence. They’re right.
It is obvious that the current politics and policies surrounding ethnicity and religions in Malaysia are outdated. It is also disheartening to hear, in this day and age the ever-oft complaint, that the non-Malays are going to take over. This coming even from the more exposed, educated Malay professionals.
Are we really under siege?
To some, yes.
Even if they are Muslim? I pointed out.
Yes. You know the Shiites want their own mosque in Selangor? You give these Christians an arm, and they want the whole leg.
I agree that the next GE will have surprises. I don’t know if Christian voters will really make it a point to make their presence felt, but I do think that with the elections after the next, religion will drive Malaysians to claim their stake at the polls. Because The Others truly believe they are under siege, and are now gathering strength. Right now, Malaysians want a change of governance.
One thing is clear: We need to talk about us.
Next week: The discussion.
* This is the personal opinion of the columnist
Comments
Please refrain from nicknames or comments of a racist, sexist, personal, vulgar or derogatory nature, or you may risk being blocked from commenting in our website. We encourage commenters to use their real names as their username. As comments are moderated, they may not appear immediately or even on the same day you posted them. We also reserve the right to delete off-topic comments