No Surprises Unity Ministry Study Finds Race Religion Divide Malaysians

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PARLIAMENT | The National Unity Ministry has confirmed what many Malaysians already know - that race, religion, and gender remain among the key fault lines threatening social harmony and national unity.
Deputy Unity Minister K Saraswathy said that while the ministry is aware that mass media is one of the key elements contributing to a “social deficit,” other factors also share a portion of the blame.
“According to the National Unity Index (Ipnas) study, apart from social media, there are nine other elements that can affect harmony and unity in society, (namely) ethnicity, religion, social class, education, language, generational gap, gender politics or federalism, and the urban-rural divide,” she told the Dewan Rakyat today.
The deputy minister added that the index allows the ministry to measure the level of unity among Malaysians, thus facilitating the government’s efforts to identify and implement suitable “intervention programmes” to address related issues.
Saraswathy was responding to backbencher Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman), who had questioned the ministry on whether it has a mechanism to evaluate the actual level of unity among the rakyat.
Deputy Unity Minister K SaraswathyIn March, National Unity and Integration Department director-general Che Roslan Che Daud said the third Ipnas study will be carried out by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Institute of Ethnic Studies.
He added that the department is confident of the index value reaching 0.7 this year, following the first study in 2018, recording a score of 0.567, followed by 0.629 in 2022.
According to the Ipnas measurement scale, 0.0 to 0.24 is classified as weak, 0.25 to 0.49 (low), 0.50 to 0.74 (moderate), and 0.75 to 1.00 (high).
Source of hate
Saraswathy also traded barbs with Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar), who had earlier questioned whether the ministry is aware of how the algorithm and “external influences” on social media platforms could contribute to the rise of hate narratives online.
“Although the government often emphasises messages of unity, in reality, divisive narratives that go viral on social media sometimes stem from the statements or actions of government leaders themselves.
“Is the ministry truly prepared to speak up or take action when the source of hate comes from influential figures within the government, not just ordinary citizens?” the PAS lawmaker queried.
Kapar MP Dr Halimah AliIn response, Saraswathy noted that hateful narratives are not exclusively spread by government figures as they also arise from the opposition.
“We must treat any statement - whether from the public or political figures, government or opposition - as a serious matter.
“All MPs and political leaders must treat this matter seriously, as they play a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s unity and harmony,” the deputy minister added. - Mkini

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