Malaysia's identity crisis: Navigating the choppy waters of race and religion

On the eve of National Day, I visited Pasar Seni or Central Market and its surrounding vicinity. The next day, 31 August, I ventured to the Pavilion and Bukit Bintang area in Kuala Lumpur.

During these two days, I observed mostly foreign workers and foreign tourists wherever I went.

While not looking out specifically for Merdeka celebrations and activities during those two days, I could not help but notice a lack of significant manifestations of Malaysians acknowledging the historical importance of that special day. For instance, not many vehicles on the roads displayed the national flag.

In shopping centres such as the busy Sungei Wang Plaza and Berjaya Times Square, the focus was understandably on sales promotions, but the themes had little or no connection with Merdeka (Independence) or National Day. I didn’t spot any cultural activities or displays of traditional and national costumes. One shop proudly advertised 67 sen off any item above RM15 – that was about the only nationalistic commercial gesture I came across.

Somehow, it didn’t feel as if there was a sense of merriment or joy over the National Day holiday. Perhaps the celebrations were limited to Putrajaya.

Setting aside these anecdotal observations, it is pertinent to ask, where are we as a nation after over six decades of independence? Is Merdeka or National Day significant to most people in Malaysia? Have we taken for granted the freedom we enjoy in this nation we call home?

Are there underlying issues affecting us that we need to address, talk about and handle?

The elephant in the room for many locals is the disenchantment and disillusionment surrounding the divisive issues of race and religion. These are strong identity markers in our society.

The distinction of “Malays” and “non-Malays” is predominant, and insufficient conscious efforts are made to promote a Malaysian identity first. While someone once suggested we use the phrase “Malays” and “other Malaysians” if it is necessary to differentiate the two groups, this idea did not catch on.

Unlike Indonesia, in Malaysia, our ethnic backgrounds seem to be a strong identifier, made obvious by the names we are given.

Campaigns to emphasise the importance of the Malaysian identity are few. The Rukun Negara (National Principles) formulated on 31 August 1970 to foster unity and promote loyalty to king and country is seldom given pride of place. Instead, it is often relegated to the back page of notebooks.

An anonymous poster that went viral just before National Day carried the message: “On only 3 occasions (are) all Citizens treated and recognized as Malaysians, 1. 31 August (Merdeka), 2. 16 September (Malaysia Day) 3. General Elections. The rest of the year you are identified by your race.” 

While this message was inaccurate, we need to ask why so many people were readily forwarding it. I personally saw it in several messaging groups I am in. Perhaps it reflects how people perceive how those in power view them. This perception itself comes from lived experience and exposure. After all, there is no shortage of politicians willing to use race and religion to advance their popularity.

Just over a year ago, at a public forum organised by Sisters in Islam, Zainah Anwar, a SIS founding member, wondered aloud: “After decades of Islamisation, where are you, Malaysia?”

Her blunt answer? “We are lost.” We have lost the dominant national narrative of who we were, who we are, who we want to be and what we believe in, she argued. She also warned us about politicians who will tear the nation’s social fabric in their quest for power.

The tussle between Pas and Umno to be recognised as the ‘champion’ of Islam has apparently led to a holier-than-thou competition. This inevitably affects the non-Muslims’ way of life as well.

Consider the halal and non-halal divide. A proposal has been put forward that all shops that do not serve pork or alcohol may need to apply for “halal certification”.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok criticised the proposal, saying it would hurt small businesses, limit consumer choice and go against Malaysia’s diverse culture.

Her response sparked another furore with 28 police reports lodged, prompting police to open an investigation into Kok’s statement.

That has raised public concern that an MP could be investigated simply for speaking up and sharing her views on a matter of widespread public concern.

Since then, other dissenting voices have emerged from Umno’s ulama council and even one of the PM’s aides, a former restauranteur.

In sports, dressing has become an issue. Terengganu has insisted that female Muslim athletes refrain from participating in gymnastics and diving.

Dress codes for men and women have also been set in many government departments. This has led to moral policing, with guards at hospitals and government offices sometimes refusing entry to visitors or asking them to dress more modestly.

All these issues, when they crop up and get magnified, further divide the people.

In a previous newsletter, Sukeshini Nair explored what lies beneath Malaysia’s failing education system. In it, she highlighted the discrimination in national schools. While it is not an official policy, the understanding is that certain top jobs, such as school heads, are reserved for bumiputras, with some minimal exceptions. Her article gave examples of excellent teachers opting to quit or retire early because of real or perceived discrimination. Over 40,000 people read the newsletter, and the feedback we received suggested it resonated with many readers.

A recent Merdeka Center survey of youth revealed that 58% of ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian respondents felt their communities were unfairly treated – up from 43% last year. Their perceived discrimination seemed to stem from unfair treatment by the government.

In an article published by an online portal, Shankar R Santhiram looked at whether people in Malaysia have an “inclusive mindset”. From his standpoint, people here, from a tender age, are directed towards an “exclusive” mindset. Vernacular and Islamic religious schools have spawned greater differentiation along ethnic and religious lines.

However, more ethnic Malays have been enrolling their children in Chinese vernacular schools in recent times. Hopefully, these students will build and develop lasting bonds by intermingling in such schools. Perhaps this will help dilute the exclusivity of such schools and fuel greater inter-ethnic understanding.

Yet, it is unclear if this trend of more Malay students attending Chinese vernacular schools will be enough to reduce the tide of divisiveness.

In the long run, serious thought should be given to revamping the current education matrix. For example, if the government implements a national education system, it should include meaningful vernacular language and special religious education.

The syllabus should be revamped to make it more inclusive. Perhaps the first six to seven years of primary education can be standardised, and specialisation may be allowed only in secondary schools.

There are no simple solutions, but experts need to come out with a vision that promotes unity and recognises diversity.

More than dress codes for decency, a simmering hot potato has emerged that could widen the Muslim and non-Muslim divide. The government has announced plans to place Islamic development department (Jakim) officers in all government departments.

One can only assume that placing these officers in government departments is to ensure that policies and activities are consistent with Islamic principles.

The MCCBCHST, which represents various non-Muslim religions, has expressed its concerns in a letter opposing this proposal. Its leaders argue that “Jakim’s encroachment into the public sphere may be unconstitutional and could affect the fundamental rights guaranteed to all Malaysians”.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has requested Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Naím Mokthar to hold a meeting with MCCBCHST leaders to clarify their concerns. As of now, the meeting has not taken place.

Meanwhile, the religious affairs minister has reportedly said that the Jakim officers posted to government departments and agencies are there to organise religious programmes and will not be involved in policymaking.

So, was it an overreaction by the MCCBCHST and other concerned folk? Is it a non-issue? If we look at the overall scheme of things, in particular contentious religious issues that have surfaced over the years, then surely the concerns are not unwarranted.

Lurking in the shadows is Pas leader Hadi Awang, who in the past has pronounced the Federal Constitution as a colonial constitution. He has called for an Islamic state and for the Quran and the Sunnah to be preeminent, as he leads his party to a more conservative path.

One shudders to think what lifestyle changes non-Muslims and progressive Muslims will have to adapt to, if Hadi’s party wins federal power.

Given all this, progressive individuals who value inclusivity will find it difficult to promote unity in diversity. Yet, our untapped diversity is a powerful asset.

It is not all doom and gloom. Prof Shad Saleem Faruqi has written about the positive attributes that bind Malaysian society. He listed out 14 attributes, the first being the peace and harmony that prevails in the nation. Despite some differences, he values “the (overall) enduring and endearing inter-ethnic harmony that exists”.

Malaysia was, until the 1990s, an exemplar of a moderate, multicultural society, he writes. But over the last three decades, political Islam has been on the ascendancy, along with its divisive quest for a conservative “Islamic state”.

That is the challenge for us. How do we, irrespective of our ethnicity and religion, preserve, nurture and develop the existing peace and harmony?

We don’t want to be caught in the crossfire between political parties that wish to project themselves as “holier than thou” in their bid to become more Islamic than their opponents.

Let us draw a lesson from Pope Francis, who urged everyone to practise religious harmony during his recent visit to Indonesia. The pope, Indonesia’s grand imam and other religious leaders signed a declaration against violence connected to religious extremism. It also highlighted the climate change crisis.

In the declaration, the religious leaders said it was “worrying” that religion is being used to promote violence around the world, while the “ongoing environmental crisis has become an obstacle to the harmonious coexistence of peoples”.

It is the duty of the “Madani” (civil and compassionate) government to promote inclusiveness, unity and acceptance among people of various ethnicities and religions through the principles it espouses.

The government must direct its agencies to ensure that their activities harness Malaysia’s diversity.

As for us, let’s do our part in spreading the message of goodwill and understanding in society. Those who value unity in diversity must rally together and speak out against extremism, exclusiveness and bigotry. This would be the best way to celebrate Malaysia Day on 16 September!

Henry LohCo-editor, Aliran newsletter10 September 2024

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