Selamat Hari Raya to all our Muslim sisters and brothers.
As we celebrate this time in Malaysia with families and friends, let’s spare a thought for the Muslim refugee and migrant communities who live among us.
Think about Muslims globally, including those in Gaza, those fleeing from the Myanmar civil war to safety in Malaysia, and those in other war zones and conflict situations. Many of them are enduring unimaginable hardship with very little, but their faith and hope for survival.
On 28 March, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar. The official death toll has now surpassed 2,000 people (the real count could reach as high as 10,000), with thousands missing. Roads and infrastructure have been destroyed.
The military government sent out a call for international aid. Several countries, including Malaysia, have responded. Hopefully, relief operations will be able to take place in a country governed by an authoritarian military regime and ravaged by civil war.
Badge of contention
Within Malaysia, the Ministry of Education has announced that students in its institutions will have to wear a national flag badge from 21 April onwards. These institutions include government schools, government-aided schools, matriculation colleges and teacher training institutes.
The move has sparked a discussion about form versus substance, about outward appearance or structure versus essential nature or underlying reality.
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Many would not argue with the aim of the initiative: to inculcate love and pride for the nation and to promote unity, discipline and responsibility among students.
Several questions emerge. Is this what our children really need now? Is wearing a badge really going to inspire pride for the country and instil unity and discipline among students? If so, how actually is this going to work and how will the outcome of this initiative be measured?
A recent Jakarta Post piece “Why corruption thrives in a religious society” touches on how children learn values.
Children do not learn moral reasoning by instruction alone. They imitate. They absorb values unconsciously through patterns of care, fairness and honesty modelled in daily life. If they see adults speak kindly, respect rules, admit mistakes and question power, they learn that character matters. If they see adults perform rituals while lying, cheating or staying silent in the face of wrongdoing, they learn that religion and ethics can live apart.
So, have we thought about what our children are learning from us and from Malaysia’s political and corporate leaders?
Are they learning compassion for others, especially those who may seem different from us? Are they learning to see the humanity in everyone around them?
Are they learning that crime does not pay? Or are they learning about ‘dua darjat’ (double standards) and how some criminals can’t seem to be held accountable for their crimes?
Are they learning about how important the environment is to people’s wellbeing and our role as stewards?
Are they learning about gender equality and shared roles and responsibilities in the home and in the community?
In everything we adults say and do, including on social media, what are we nurturing in the children around us?
Do we really think that wearing a badge is the way to go?
Ayer Kuning by-election
On another note, the Ayer Kuning by-election is coming up on 26 April. Let’s see whether any of the contesting political parties will put up a woman candidate.
On 8 March, while launching a national policy for women on International Women’s Day, the PM said there had to be a push for greater women’s representation in politics. “We need strong women leaders who can speak out courageously about freedom and democracy, making full use of opportunities to express their perspectives in a way that contributes to nation-building.”
As it stands, women’s participation in political decision-making in Malaysia is dismal. Women make up 16.1% of cabinet ministers, 13.5% of MPs, 16.1% of senators and 10% of state assembly members.
Despite making up almost half of the country’s population (47.4%), women remain sidelined in political decision-making.
Within Asean, Malaysia scores the lowest for political empowerment and women’s representation, according to the Global Gender Gap 2024 Insight Report by the World Economic Forum.
We can talk endlessly about women’s empowerment and their role in decision- making and about how they can contribute to nation-building.
But the reality on the ground is that it is incredibly difficult to ‘lean in’ when one is unable to even get a seat at the table!
That gender inequality is deeply entrenched in our society on many levels is not new. Hence, it is important to challenge it at every opportunity possible.
Simmering tensions
Over the last month, we witnessed several incidents – Era FM DJs making fun of a kavadi dance, a Ramadan month slap, and a dispute (settled already, though rumblings continue) over the relocation of a Hindu temple and the building of a mosque on the site of the temple.
The reactions to these incidents reminded us how quickly ethnic and religious tensions can flare up. They also showed us the need for immediate action to contain and defuse the situation.
Each time such incidents occur, a lot of time and energy is spent sorting out fact from misinformation. Unhelpful or hurtful comments from various parties often muddy the waters further. Feathers are ruffled and need to be soothed as well. Through it all, the government has to chart a balanced way forward to calm the tinderbox situation that arises.
All this does not bode well for the country.
Living together with people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds and accommodating their various practices need not be a path full of inordinate hurdles – unless, of course, we choose to make it so.
We do so when we allow certain leaders to politicise race and religion.
We do so every time we insist on playing the ‘mine-is-better/bigger/holier-than-yours’ game. (The thinking behind such games is telling.)
We do so when leaders lack courage to do the correct thing for fear of upsetting the electorate. (Remember, might is not always right.)
We do so every time we are lazy in our thinking or speak and act disrespectfully towards others. Or when we thoughtlessly share unverified information.
We know that simmering tensions, if they get out of hand, will bring the country to its knees. Examples abound elsewhere in the world. Is this the way we want to go?
All of us – whether we leaders or ordinary people – have choices in what we say and do and in the decisions we make.
Will we act with integrity? What will our children learn from us?
Prema Devaraj
Co-editor, Aliran newsletter
1 April 2025
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Such a paradox at many levels! Just let’s all choose to first wear a badge of honour & integrity, upholding our Rukun Tetangga. Thank you Prema