Home TA Online Religious politicking distracts from urgent social needs

Religious politicking distracts from urgent social needs

Stop politicising religious issues and focus on meeting the people’s basic needs

A long queue waiting at the crowded Penang General Hospital - FILE PHOTO: ANIL NETTO/ALIRAN

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Certain political parties and groups appear to be caught up in a never-ending saga of religious politicking.

Given the many serious systemic problems plaguing Malaysian society, the national focus and efforts should be on resolving them swiftly.

But certain entities politicise religious matters, no matter how small, and turn them into controversies. This then captures public attention. A huge amount of moral policing accompanies all this.

And all for what? To portray themselves as ‘defenders’ of their religion and win support from of the masses.

Why don’t these groups make use of their positions of power and influence to resolve the serious bread-and-butter issues burdening the people?

Why don’t they strongly advocate for and pressure the ruling class to provide:

  • Much greater welfare for underprivileged groups
  • Improved basic infrastructure in rural areas across the nation
  • Higher wages for workers
  • Truly affordable housing
  • More aid to struggling small and medium enterprises
  • More funds for essential services
  • More public hospitals and universities

This above is just a sample of what the people lack. They are all urgent issues – which is why more of us need to be actively pressuring our strongly pro-capitalist government to act.

So why don’t those entities that are indulging in religious politicking conduct more grassroots work? They will then be able to identify vulnerable groups who need more government assistance.

The people have endured a heavy socioeconomic burden for far too long. It is high time those groups stop their communal politicking and use their energy to improve the people’s living standards.

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
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
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