Why Malaysians Are Stuck With Religious And Racial Syndrome And How To Overcome This Conundrum

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Letter to Editor
THE recent controversies stirred up by politicians regarding the display of socks with the word “Allah” and now, the ham and cheese sandwich scandal at KK Mart is a continuation and persistence of racial and religious conflicts in Malaysia which is rooted in a complex mix of historical, political, social, and economic factors.
Colonial divide-and-rule policies during British colonial rule where different ethnic groups were segregated economically and geographically.
Malays dominated rural areas and agriculture, Chinese were active in commerce and mining while Indians worked on plantations.
This segregation fostered distinct identities and limited integration. The post-independence “social contract” established rights for Malays (as Bumiputera or “sons of the soil) and granted citizenship to non-Malays – thus creating a framework for ethnic-based policies – still remains by many as unacceptable after 68 years of independence.
Malaysia’s political system is heavily influenced by ethnicity and religion sentiments. Political parties often represent specific racial groups, like UMNO for Malays, MCA for Chinese, and MIC for Indians.
These divisions can lead to policies and rhetoric that prioritise group interests over national unity. Politicians sometimes exploit racial and religious sentiments to secure votes or maintain power, leading to heightened tensions.
Constitutional role of Islam
While Malaysia is a secular state, Islam is the official religion, and Malays are constitutionally defined as Muslims. This intertwining of religion and ethnicity often sparks debates on issues like apostasy, religious conversions, and the rights of minorities.
The increasing influence of conservative Islam has created friction, particularly when it intersects with the rights of non-Muslims.
The affirmative action policies such as the New Economic Policy (NEP) were implemented to reduce economic disparities between Malays and other groups.
While they have uplifted many Malays, critics argue they have also led to resentment among non-Malays who perceive the policies as unfair.
The traditional social media often amplify sensitive issues. Sensationalist reporting or provocative posts can escalate conflicts and create a sense of division, even if such views are not representative of the majority.
The stateless individuals in Malaysia, often from indigenous or mixed-race backgrounds, face barriers to basic rights. This issue ties into broader tensions surrounding identity and belonging.
The lack of national integration with our education system, with vernacular schools based on language and ethnicity, can limit interaction between ethnic groups from a young age which reinforces stereotypes and divides.
Overcoming this problem
(Image: The Star) 
Rectifying racial and religious conflicts in Malaysia requires a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach that addresses the structural, social, and political roots of these divisions.
There must be greater emphasis on the Malaysian identity and national unity, fostering a sense of belonging to a shared national identity over racial or religious identities through campaigns, media, and education.
An inclusive policies shifting away from race-based affirmative action to needs-based policies, ensuring assistance reaches all Malaysians in need regardless of ethnicity must be implemented in action not mere words.
An educational reform which integrates school system in the education system to encourage interaction among students of different ethnicities must be implemented.
Introduce a single national school system with multicultural and multi-religious curricula that respect and celebrate diversity of religion and race at all cost.
History curriculum must be reformed, teaching the history of all Malaysian communities of their unique contribution, pre- and post-Independence era, which emphasise shared values, tolerance, and conflict resolution.
There must be political and institutional merit-based political reform encouraging the formation of multiracial political parties that advocate for policies benefiting all Malaysians rather than specific ethnic groups.
Independent Judiciary and Institutions should be strengthened further to prevent misuse of racial and religious issues for political gain.
Anti-discrimination laws must be enacted and enforced, as should laws to curb racial or religious discrimination in workplaces, schools, and public spaces.
Equal equality opportunities addressing economic disparities by creating equal opportunities for all citizens, especially in education, healthcare, and employment must be implemented and enforced.
This will empower marginalised groups which focus on improving infrastructure and services in underserved communities, regardless of ethnicity.
The media must be responsible in regulating hate speech by monitoring and penalizing inflammatory or discriminatory content in traditional and social media.
Presenting positive representation by encouraging media outlets to portray the contributions and stories of all communities positively is a hallmark of a truthful society.
The role of leadership and governance must be positive at all time whereby the role of leaders, political and religious leaders must set an example by promoting unity and condemning divisive rhetoric.
This will lead to transparent policies ensuring government decisions are transparent and based on principles of justice with equity and equality.
The piecemeal approach of addressing statelessness and citizenship issues must become a reality thus resolving the statelessness issue by simplifying processes for those born and raised in Malaysia to gain citizenship.
There must be long-term commitment requiring sustained political will, grassroots support, and cultural shifts. Changing bureaucratic mindset may take time, but consistent and collaborative efforts can reshape society for the better.
KT Maran
Seremban, Negri Sembilan
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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