Guide to what’s acceptable only in Malaysian politics

Malaysia has truly gained global infamy, thanks in part to the ringgit being crowned this month’s worst-performing Asian currency, as well as the eyebrow-raising manner in which our government is handling the 1Malaysia Development Bhd controversy.

Being in the international limelight has cast a lot of questions on the complexity and seemingly absurd inner workings of our government, and it’s understandable how Malaysian news can be perplexing to those not so well versed in the ways of our local politics.

So as to aid the uninitiated, here is a simple guide to the unique nuances of Malaysian politics.

*Please note that this does not apply anywhere else in the world. Or at least not in any other civilised country around the world.

It’s OK to be a bigot, as long as you’re from the right party

It’s become increasingly common and acceptable for Malaysian leaders to spew racially insensitive remarks and get away with it.

Well, that’s only half the truth, as the only ones “getting away with it” have an interesting coincidence of all coming from the ruling Umno party.

The most recent example of the irresponsible pitting of races against each other comes from Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, a strong champion of the setting up of a Malay-only complex, dubbed Low Yat 2.

Ismail, who has said the new complex would be up and running in three months, had urged Malays to boycott Chinese businesses, whom he has chastised for being dishonest.

For a country that shamelessly flouts its multiculturalism for tourism sake, it's almost unbelievable that such shallow and racist views can come from a cabinet minister. Low Yat 2 is a representation of racial prejudices that should no longer be tolerated,but instead, is officially endorsed.

Only in Malaysia is race used frequently and dangerously as a convenient weapon by politicians, members of parliament and even ministers who wear their racism as a badge of honour, without fear of legal action.

Money politics is a given

One of the biggest controversies of the year was triggered when the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission revealed that RM2.6 billion had been deposited into Prime Minister Najib Razak’s personal bank account from an unspecified “donor”.

Najib had withheld this bit of donor information for almost a month, when he was busy trying to vilify the Wall Street Journal which first ran the expose.

He has since continued to defend it as a totally acceptable transaction, claiming that the money was not used for personal gain, but for Umno’s election expenses.

What continues to baffle observers, and most Malaysians for that matter, is that the entire episode – from the personal bank account to the questionably pure intentions of the donor – is absolutely legal.

During an election period, allegations are rife that copious amounts of money are used by the government machinery to “encourage” supporters to continue lending their support to the ruling coalition.

Where the funds come from, why and how much, are topics of great public curiosity, but unfortunately Malaysia's non-existent laws on political funding do not regulate the amount of donations, or require disclosure of donors' identities.

Only in Malaysia can a head of state admit to receiving such a large sum of money into his personal bank account, and does not need to justify where the money came from and how it was used. 

Who needs the law when you have religion?

Malaysia is a secular state, with Islam as our official religion. However, with the advent of religious Islamic conservatism, our leaders have found that religion can often be a convenient way to shut critics up.

Only in Malaysia can a politician seemingly get away with allegations of corruption or wrongdoing by simply swearing on the Almighty’s name in a mosque, with the requisite hordes of newsmen and religious officials as witnesses.

Malaysian leaders are also not above vilifying “foreign” religions without proof or logic, in order to win over support.

Newly minted Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid wasted no time in stirring the cesspool of religious bigotry when he recently claimed that Jews and Christians were behind UK-based whistle-blower website Sarawak Report, and that these two groups of people were hell-bent on splitting the Malays.

In trying to understand Malaysian politics, observers will do well in remembering that it isn’t always facts and logic that wins the battle here.

Religious fundamentalism is growing, and while it has yet to influence the court of law, it is becoming an increasingly strong tool in the battle for public opinion.

Maybe we’re a little too unique

Many Malaysians believe that our country’s unique ethnic and political makeup simply means that we cannot compare ourselves with much of the rest of the world which seems to have raced past us in terms of social and economic growth.

I couldn't disagree more. Perhaps it’s a good thing to be able to compare ourselves with the standards of the world when it comes to universally accepted conventions and laws surrounding corruption, human rights and meritocracy.

Let’s retain what makes this country truly unique – the social agreement between races forged by our forefathers, and the ability to hold on to our cultural differences while being united by a rich Malay and Islamic heritage.

But let’s make unacceptable the racism, religious demonising and corruption-in-the-name-of-funding practices before they truly become a part of Malaysian culture. – August 23, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.