Malaysia facing a decline in reasoning its faith?

The Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue is concerned over a deliberate attempt on the part of certain extremist politicians to raise ethno-religious temperatures in the country.

There is a pattern of extremism that is gradually poisoning the conscience of the people by creating walls of ethnic and religious mistrust, that, if not addressed and dealt with firmness, could destroy the very fabric of unity of the nation, which has been painstakingly built since independence.

In spite of the advice by the rulers on the importance of political stability in the country since the 2022 general election, there seems to be a deliberate and concerted afford to stir up issues related to the LGBT community and Christianisation, besides particularly targeting a minister of the government who is considered to be a devout Christian.

Politicians and their extremist cohorts are unable to distinguish between fact and fiction as they are clouded by religious ideology and political expediency, placing Malaysia in a state of decline when it comes to unity among the multi-ethnic and religious society.

For example, when a particular MP was confronted by the speaker on his allegations about the presence of LGBT persons in a women’s event, he was not able to substantiate it, which shows that lies that violate religious codes are OK, as long as they bring in political leverage.

The inability to distinguish between visiting places of worship and interfaith dialogue by a certain religious leader of a state shows how backward we are in understanding the complexity of people’s behaviour related to faith.

The inability to see goodness in others by consistently harping on religious differences by building walls of regulations among the people shows that Malaysia is gradually in decline when it comes to reasoning its faith.

Many years ago, I witnessed a touching example of elderly Christian men who were walking to church on Sunday. It was almost time for the service and he was struggling to walk fast.

A Muslim man who was performing security duties around the area observed the difficulties of this man to get to church on time, took the elderly Christian on his motorbike and left him at the entrance of the church.

The elderly man was so grateful, and he told me when I met him in church that God works in every one and the divine, transcending human logic, without preferences or ideology.

It was simply a Muslim person helping his fragile neighbour, with no strings attached.

I believe there are many similar stories of inter-ethnic solidarity among all communities in the Malaysian context that are seldom highlighted or presented by politicians, many of whom use religion for political purposes or have an irrational view of faith.

It is time for Malaysian politicians who are stirring up ethno-religious issues to be popular with their community, to understand that beauty, goodness and truth is not the monopoly of any religion, and to understand it one has to explore the complex maze of humanity, which is spiritual in essence.

Building walls of mistrust would only exacerbate the nation’s continuous decline in forging harmony and goodwill for the common good of all Malaysians. – The Malaysian Insight

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
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3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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