A Tale Of 2 Malaysias Just Before Christmas

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My son, Ismail Tajuddin and I were at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Subang Jaya today from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at the invitation for Christmas High Tea by the Christian Federation of Malaysia.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke was also there to grace the event as a representative of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
I was expecting to see several Malay personalities and civil societies, such as the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) and Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram), as well as representatives from the Unity Ministry.
When I surveyed the 1,000-strong guests, I thought that my son and I were the only Malays there. I had double-confirmed with my chaperone by asking him the following questions and the conversation more or less went as follows:
Mana orang Abim? (Where are the Abim people?)
Tak ada datang. (Not coming.)
Mana orang Ikram? (Where are Ikram’s people?)
Pun sama. (Same.)
Ada orang dari Unity Ministry? (Anyone from the Unity Ministry)
Saya rasa tak ada. (I think none.)
You invite orang PAS, Bersatu, Umno? (Did you invite anyone from PAS, Bersatu, Umno?)
Semua kita invite, Prof! (We invited everyone, Prof!)
Semua sibuk agaknya? (Perhaps they are all busy?)
Agaknya lah. (I guess so.)
So, saya dan anak saya saja orang Melayu di sini? (So, my son and I are the only Malays here?)
Prof seorang yang berani datang agaknya! (Perhaps prof is the only brave one to come!)
I was most disappointed as in several previous years I had attended similar functions for Christmas, and I would easily see 20 Malays.
The writer with Transport Minister Anthony Loke at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Subang JayaHowever, today was a reality check for Malaysia. At the very end of 2024, our state of inclusiveness is clear to see. Loke gave an inspiring speech about inclusiveness and fair treatment to all Malaysians.
A senior church leader alluded to Malaysians as a family together facing the unknown future. But reality hit hard, and this seems where we are.
I then sent a few WhatsApp messages to several friends, including Sarawak Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and he immediately replied that he was attending a Christmas function also, today in Kuching, as the guest of honour.
Sarawak governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre (CEWC) Jalan Stampin, Kuching on Dec 21It was organised by the Association of Churches in Sarawak at the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre (CEWC) Jalan Stampin, Kuching. I assumed that that function with Wan Junaidi probably had more than two Muslims present.
Once again, East Malaysia has shown the true spirit of Malaysia. In the peninsula, we have to rely on the Agong himself to remind us who we are or who we are supposed to be.
Merry Christmas, Malaysia and another “hopeful” New Year! - Mkini
TAJUDDIN MOHD RASDI is a professor of Islamic architecture at UCSI University.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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