Polarisation is one of the greatest challenges of our time.
It seeps into every corner of society – from politics and religion to education and daily conversations. In Malaysia, where diversity is supposed to be our strength, polarisation weakens us collectively.
We pride ourselves on being a nation of many voices, but too often, those voices shout past each other instead of finding common ground.
The problem with polarisation is that it thrives on fear and misunderstanding. The political arena has become increasingly divided, particularly along ethnic lines.
The 2022 general election results highlighted a more ethnically polarised electorate. Religious differences have also been a significant source of tension.
Dialogue offers a way out, but it is not the same as debate. Debate is about winning; dialogue is about understanding. It means stepping into someone else’s shoes, even when it is uncomfortable. It is about asking, “Why do you feel this way?” instead of immediately declaring, “You are wrong.”
True dialogue does not mean abandoning your beliefs; it means being open enough to examine them and to see where they overlap with someone else’s reality.
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In Malaysia, the need for dialogue is urgent. Our divisions – whether based on ethnicity, religion or socioeconomic status – run deep. Policies aimed at fostering unity often fall short because they do not address the human element: the distrust, the stereotypes, the unwillingness to listen.
Launched in 2008 by then Prime Minister Najib Razak, the “1Malaysia” campaign sought to promote ethnic harmony and national unity.
However, critics argued that it functioned more as a political slogan than a catalyst for genuine change. The campaign failed to meaningfully address deep-seated issues like inter-ethnic distrust and societal stereotypes, leading to perceptions of superficiality.
Ultimately, solving polarisation requires a fundamental shift in mindset. It is not about everyone agreeing on everything – that is unrealistic. Instead, it is about learning to coexist with our differences. Disagreement does not have to mean division.
What Malaysia needs right now is a willingness to step out of our bubbles and truly listen to each other. We need spaces where it is OK to disagree without tearing each other down. Places where we can tackle challenging questions: What does it mean to be Malaysian today? How do we balance progress with tradition? How can we stop seeing diversity as a problem and start treating it as our greatest strength?
This is the vision behind the International Think Big Summit 2024, organised by the Malaysian Philosophy Society. The summit is free and designed to bring the people of Malaysia together at the crossroads of our differences. With its focus on creating safe spaces for meaningful dialogue, it offers a chance to explore the polarising issues we face today.
From discussions on national identity and geopolitical divides to navigating echo chambers and the complexities of our digital age and loneliness, the summit is an opportunity to step out of our comfort zones and start bridging divides. Whether you want to challenge your own perspectives or understand someone else’s, this is the place to start.
Polarisation is a problem we can solve if we are willing to try. The first step is talking – not shouting, not accusing, but genuinely communicating and importantly, listening.
Through these conversations, we can start to see each other not as enemies, but as fellow human beings in Malaysia, trying to make sense of a complicated world together.
Discover how you can play a part in addressing a polarised Malaysia. Find out more about the International Think Big Summit 2024.
Pravin Periasamy is the networking and partnership director at the Malaysian Philosophy Society.
- 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
