The race for polarisation

Nov 19, 2008 - Recent developments, both local and international have heightened the debate on the role of race in politics.
The election of Barack Obama as the 44th president of United States has opened the eyes of the whole world that the race barrier is slowly falling apart.
It represents how the biggest democracy in the world has moved beyond race and the politics of hate to one that is based on issues.
While the rest of the world celebrated Obama's win, rejoicing to the fact that there is hope for a fair and just world order, we are faced with a more complex situation at home.
After the March 8 general election, idealists predicted that the end of racial politics was near.
This was when there was talk of the federal government changing hands.
It was said that the old regime that governed the nation for more than half a century, was now is on the brink of redundancy.
In an attempt to hold on to power, there had been attempts to tarnish the nation's social fabric by extreme elements who used race, and to a certain extent, the religion cards.
Many painted the old regime as the defender and promoter of racial politics – all bad and ugly.
However, after recently controlling five state governments, the supposedly new order failed to impress either.
The basis of their discontent towards each other is also linked to race relations, equity, political participation, among others.
They use the power of innuendo, with the threat to return to the old ways of dividing the races.
The appointment of a Non Malay Acting General Manager of PKNS (GLC under Selangor State government) and the 50 per cent Bumiputra quota for all new housing development in Kedah are among the issues threatening to tear down the foundation of the supposedly "new dawn of the nation".
The new order has proven aloof, with parties and leaders all jostling and pushing each other to grab their share of the shrinking economic cake.
Meanwhile, the old regime – the supposed defenders of race politics – is also embroiled in similar situations of their own.
Among the more vivid examples includes that of one of UMNO warlord calling the Non Malays as 'pendatang' and the Gerakan Wanita Chief passing remarks about the origin of the Bumiputras and an endless tit-for-tat within the own coalition is a constant thorn within.
Apart from intra-politicking that is causing implosions within both the old and new coalitions, there are obvious and desperate attempts on both sides to get one-better than their rivals.
Issues such as the suggestion to open up UiTM to Non Malays, the approval of land to vernacular schools in Perak and the multi-language signboards in Penang have been blown out of proportion for cheap political mileage.
We are also seeing a mushrooming of numerous NGOs and umbrella coalitions being set up to 'defend the rights of the natives', to protect them from being trampled by the other races.
NGOs in Malaysia are either pro-government or anti-establishment.
They will rarely act objectively but usually herd together with other fellow-NGOs to either support the government or object vehemently oppose the government blindly.
The media is also being used and abused in these blame game.
Newsfeed, articles and short stories in the Malay media are being spun to convince the Malays that their rights and special priviliges are being eroded.
On the other hand, the vernacular media are pulling the Non Malays in the opposite direction and highlight the supposedly racist actions or statements of some of the Malay leaders.
And if that was not enough, the King and the Sultans are not being spared and are seemingly being dragged into this polemic.
Politics of hate and politics of race have no place in today's era.
However, we will be served with a spectrum of push and pull events polarizing the communities even further as long as the middle ground or the masses do not reject or show their disgust towards these brainless antics.
This country was built on the foundation of peace and tolerance.
While we understand history, as a dynamic country we should move forward and build upon these elements.
The old mantra of division by race is fast becoming irrelevant.
Hence, we have to redefine and create a whole new philosophy or 'people's declaration' on the new foundation for the nation.
Respect for all cultures, religion and beliefs; obliterating supremacy of race; and avoid any hegemony of power.
Race and religion are being used as potent tools to retain political hegemony on the one hand. And they are also being used to create a whole new hegemony.

- published in The Malaysian Insider : Nov 19, 2008