Madani Needs Stern Reminder Tiong Is Good For Business

---

 


“The question is not whether Malaysia can survive its diversity.”
- David Dass
Singer and actor Alif Satar, according to Sinar Daily, can’t wait to vote following the controversy which afflicts Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing.
Apparently, serving alcohol at an event which reportedly brought in RM2 billion in investments, not to mention the fact that tourism in this country has been burgeoning under Tiong, is a cause of great concern.
I don’t really have much respect for political operatives, especially “ministers”, but here is a minister who actually does something for this country. He pulls in the cash, creates jobs, and services all the other industries that rely on tourists’ ringgit.
But apparently, the mere appearance of guests enjoying themselves with liquor is a sin far too onerous to dismiss, and for some folks, the very presence of alcohol at an event which has links with the government trumps the good this minister does for the country.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing at the controversial dinnerApparently, it was so disrespectful to Muslim guests that Terengganu state executive councillor for tourism, culture, environment, and climate change, Razali Idris, left early because:
“There was no sense of decorum or morality. It did not reflect the aspirations of the Rukun Negara. The act of serving alcohol showed great disrespect towards Muslim guests.
“The hotel staff were freely serving alcoholic beverages at the request of attending guests.”
Does not reflect the aspirations of the Rukun Negara. Really? Why do most people forget the preamble to the principles: “Guaranteeing a liberal approach towards our traditional heritage that is rich and diverse”? Some folks always forget this part.
I rarely agree with DAP’s Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee, but everything he wrote in defence of Tiong is spot on. But here is the important part, even more so than the money the event generated:
“While Muslim officers have every right to maintain their religious principles, no one, including the Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs), has the authority to impose restrictions upon non-Muslim civil servants in their private or social conduct.
“Our civil service must be guided by professionalism, not prejudice; by mutual respect, not moral policing.”
Ipoh Timor MP Howard LeeWhen faith becomes political weaponry
This is the endgame of the deep religious state. To impose restrictions on the rights non-Muslims enjoy. This has always been the game plan, and ironically, under Madani, they are gaining more ground than they ever did under previous administrations.
The attacks against Tiong are motivated by the fact that this particular minister is unafraid of his non-Muslim status, as he demonstrated when he said in Parliament, calling out Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah):
“For example, Masjid Tanah raised an issue about me getting drunk, that I drank alcohol. I am not Muslim, what is wrong with me drinking?”
Whether you agree or disagree with the way Tiong is doing his job, his agenda, and he has made this very clear, is to bring in foreign money through tourism to this country. And if this means apologising and clarifying public statements from his ministry, so be it.
Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati SamsudinRemember when Tiong had to clarify when his deputy publicly spoke about creating Muslim-friendly niche tourist spots: “I was abroad on duty a few days ago, and the deputy minister might not have explained it clearly, which led to public backlash. I have already spoken to him about this.”
As reported in the press, Tiong said Malaysia is a multiracial country and no tourism site should cater exclusively to the needs of a single religion.
The problem with this country is that everything is associated with religion. And if everything is associated with religion, someone who does not kowtow to this groupthink becomes a source of agitation for people who think non-Muslims should be pak turuts (yes men).
In the era of Madani, where the forces of extremism are smug in their belief that non-Muslim political operatives will scamper away because they are afraid of spooking the Malays, this Sarawakian political operative is flying the non-Malay/Muslim flag high and proud.
To be clear, Tiong is not making his race or religion an issue. It is the forces of extremism in this country that are making his race and religion an issue. Or, rather, they are making their race and religion an issue in the sense that their sensitivities trump everything else in this country.
Politics over performance
This is a minister who was accused of eating pork in his office. The allegation that Tiong, as a non-Muslim, makes Muslim cleaners clean up after “haram” items points to the narratives that the Malays will become servants in their homeland. That they will be forced to clean up the messes of non-Muslims.
Tiong is doing his job, reminding people what a great destination Malaysia is because of its diversity, while the forces against him believe it should only be a destination for a certain kind of tourist.
Tourism in MalaccaThe forces against Tiong have demonstrated that they do not care how much the minister has done and is doing for this country, but all they want to do is make him kowtow to their sensitivities.
They are willing to ignore the economic benefits this minister brings for the rakyat, using the primacy of religion to demonstrate that they place dogma over the utilitarian economic value.
This is why Madani admonishing Tiong is such a win for them. It tells them that with all the scandals, corruption cases, and political malfeasances swirling around Madani, they can always rely on the fact that a non-Malay/Muslim minister will be a convenient whipping boy.
Tiong, for his part, has not apologised but acknowledged the confusion that he didn’t specify the event was handled by the private sector and that the logo of the Tourism Ministry was used, thus creating doubt. Good for him. An apology is not warranted in the face of this extremist behaviour.
The tragedy here is that by admonishing Tiong, what the prime minister has done is give legitimacy that the country is exclusive to a certain segment of society.
What Tiong does every day as a minister is attempt to debunk this by making our inclusivity a selling point for this country, which he seems to be successfully doing.
I really admire David Dass’ earnestness in all his pieces, but sadly, the only question is, can Malaysia survive its diversity? - Mkini
S THAYAPARAN is commander (Rtd) of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum - “Let justice be done though the heavens fall”.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

---