Don’t tar everyone with the same brush

Criticism against the government shouldn't be seen as an insult to any particular race.

COMMENT

By Chua Tong Ka

It is worrying that non-Muslims and non-Malays are being accused by the Home Affairs Minister as being ungrateful and arrogant.

Some Malay NGOs have even alleged that the non-Malays are “kurang ajar” and “biadap” to the Malays, Islam and the royalty.

To make a generalisation about non-Malays and non-Muslims in this manner is dangerous and unfair. Just as statements made by extreme Malay groups do not reflect the true character of Malays, extreme views expressed by certain non-Malay individuals and groups should not be taken as coming from the entire community.

When statements are made by non-Malay politicians, NGOs and individuals, they remain what they are – personal.

Sometimes these views may be arrogant, rude and uncouth, but these are the views of the politicians and the individuals concerned.

Surely, it would be unfair to equate these views with the views of the whole non-Muslim community.

I have always maintained that whatever our circumstances and differences, the political reality in Malaysia has dictated that the majority of non-Malays “know their place” in Malaysia. It is then foolish and illogical for them to be deliberately rude and insulting to the Malays, Islam and the royalty.

In Malaysia, the government institutions and machinery will always be dominated by the Malays and Muslims, regardless of whether it is BN or PR that is in control.

Hence, it is time that we learn to accept that criticisms against the government are not an insult to the Malays, their culture and religion. These are criticisms directed at the government, nothing more, nothing less.

Imagine for a minute, Malaysia without non-Malays and non-Muslims. Don’t you think there will still be criticisms levelled against the government for its incompetence, inefficiency and corruption?

We just have to look at the civil strife in single-race and single-religion countries to know that the contest for power and struggle for a better government and society will always be present irrespective of the racial, religious and cultural composition of the people.

So why then must Malaysia be an exception when criticisms are levelled against the government?

I think we can’t run away from our differences. The most important thing is to tackle these differences with reason and in moderation.

It is unbecoming to paint the whole community black with a broad brush as it creates unnecessary animosity and hatred among the people.

Chua Tong Ka is an FMT reader