Malaysia’s Unity Ministry must drive debates on issues affecting race relations during Unity Week

Malaysia is set to celebrate National Unity Week from May 21-26. State-level unity roadshows, which kicked off late last month, have also been slated this month in Terengganu (May 2-4), Penang, (May 11-12), and Negeri Sembilan (May 17-19).

The Unity Ministry said it hoped the Unity Week and the roadshows, dubbed ‘Jelajah Kembara Perpaduan’ would help ignite a sense of patriotism, loyalty and love for the country, and ensure that citizens understood and appreciated the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara, among others.

However, are these programmes capable of offering solutions to issues often deemed too sensitive to be touched?

Jerald Joseph, the director of Pusat Komas, a non-governmental human rights organisation against racism and racial discrimination, and supports the advocacy rights of Peninsular Malaysia’s indigenous peoples, said Malaysia’s appreciation of the diversity in this country was only skin deep.

“I think we have all learnt about the various cultures from the various foods and costumes, and respect for other celebrations during our school days. But these elements alone cannot be the core focus of National Unity Week,” said Joseph.

Joseph, a former Human Rights Commission of Malaysia commissioner, said Unity Week or month should be used as a platform to discuss the more pressing issues plaguing the nation.

He said the current government should instead identify more relevant topics, including educating people on what constitutes hate speech, and reaffirming the ‘Malaysian First’ concept.

“These are some underlying issues that remain unresolved. Some people feel there are two levels of citizenships in this country, one is the Malay majority, and the rest are the non-Malays,” said Joseph.

“The concept of ‘non’ should never exist in a country. These are the kind of difficult topics that should be focused on and tackled at the ministry level.”

Joseph said without addressing the more difficult issues, Unity Week celebrations will remain ‘feel good celebrations’, sidestepping the more important debates and discourses that need to take place.

On the reluctance of the powers that be to address such issues, Joseph said it was because they have been labelled as ‘sensitive topics’ for a very long time.

“Governments tend to shy away from such matters because even with the best of intentions, one could be accused of championing a particular race,” he said.

“What we need are courageous leaders who can say that the moment has arrived, and there is a need to tackle these issues, regardless of the backlash.”

He said there were also some quarters who wanted to engage in hate-mongering or who were trying to create division within the nation. Government leaders meanwhile, were more concerned about losing voters’ support if they spoke up about the elephant in the room.

“We will be stuck forever if leaders focused more on their political survival, rather than the future of this nation,” said Joseph.

“If every minister is called to publically back a framework (for example, rejecting hate speech) on National Unity Day, then for the first time ever, we will have a common stand on what it is to be Malaysian First,” he added.

Describing race relations in Malaysia as being stuck where it was 30 years ago, Joseph said the difference today is that a lot of the conversations have moved online.

“Yet, there is less clampdown on such online conversations. At the same time, these platforms are being used to peddle hate speech – including statements which are anti-minority and anti-foreigners.

He added that anti-refugee sentiments have also grown in recent years, noting that the present situation was unlike what it was in the past.

“Those peddling such sentiments should be held accountable. When the authorities do not act and keep quiet, they too, are guilty of allowing it to fester,” he said.

Joseph said Malaysia must decide if it wants to change its course.

“It is also time for the government to lead the way with a new narrative and shut down those who peddle hate. Silence is not an option. Our loud silence only enables the small voice of hate to grow exponentially.”

Commenting on the recent ‘Allah socks issue’ involving local supermarket chain KK Mart, which saw firebombs being thrown at several outlets, with some quarters continuing to pour fuel over the fire, Joseph said there needs to be an effective, functioning mechanism to tackle such matters.

“From time to time, an issue is exposed and exploited. Exposing an issue is okay if you want to ensure something is done properly, but exploiting an issue, and if it is being fanned for a long time, can be tantamount to peddling discrimination and hatred, and affect race relations, he said.

Joseph said Komas has been repeatedly calling for the establishment of a National Harmony Commission – an independent commission mooted by the previous National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), to tackle racial and religious discrimination in a swift and tiered manner.

The NUCC was suggested by then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the Dewan Rakyat on June 26, 2013, as part of efforts to achieve national unity and forge closer race relations amidst concerns of greater racial polarisation.

Several notable figures then, including Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Yayasan 1Malaysia, Datuk Dr Chandra Muzzafar, and board member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye had submitted suggestions on the formation of the NUCC.

Among the suggestions included the setting up of the NUCC by an Act of Parliament and for it to be headed by a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for national unity and integration. The composition of the members must also represent various committees and researchers on ethnic relations in the country.

“Right now, we only have the Sedition Act. We all know that this is not the greatest of laws, and that there is a need to set up this commission,” Joseph said.

He added the commission, if set up, would be able to listen to complaints (related to race relations, including hate speech) and will have powers to investigate, summon, and issue temporary gag orders.

While having some enforcement powers, such a commission will, however, not have the legal ‘muscle’ of the police.

“We understand that the previous Pakatan Harapan government, formed in 2018, was working towards the formation of this commission, but sadly, we have not heard any developments. The current and previous unity ministers have said that we do not need such a commission, citing enough laws in the country.

“I find this a bit odd, as on one side, the government says it wants to tackle issues related to race and religion, (2R), but there is no willpower to set up such a commission.

“What we have now (the current laws) are insufficient. When it comes to issues related to race and religion, action must be swift to prevent it from turning nasty or violent.

“I doubt the police have the competency to handle such matters in a way the commission, can,” he added.

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