Words Aren T Enough Urgent Need For Law Not Lectures

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Merdeka Day message decrying the weaponisation of racial rhetoric was poignant and telling.
He rightly identified how these tactics are used to sabotage the government’s efforts to improve public welfare. Yet, for many Malaysians, such words ring hollow - a familiar refrain from a broken record, the needle stuck in a groove of empty promises.
The problem extends far beyond mere racial undertones. It has evolved into a brazen (mis)use of religion, where self-appointed zealots vilify non-believers with impunity, actively eroding the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.
This is not a new phenomenon. For years, politicians and public figures have stoked division by playing the race-religion card, launching inflammatory diatribes against minority communities.
ADSWhile Anwar’s remarks are welcome, they echo the longstanding concerns of civil society leaders and academics. The public is left wondering: when will words be matched with action?
The central failure of successive governments, including the current one, is the glaring lack of uniform law enforcement. This is not a perception but a documented reality of selective prosecution.
In several commentaries, this issue was raised periodically, but had been addressed with words but not deeds.
This was despite Anwar’s continued “warnings”, including one in March, through his senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, who noted sinister attempts by certain parties with vested interests to create a perception of “double standards”.
“Anwar acknowledged that some parties with vested interests are attempting to create the perception of double standards in law enforcement.
“This is a baseless accusation. Anyone who insults any religion in Malaysia will be investigated and prosecuted accordingly,” said Nashrul during the Prime Minister’s Office daily briefing.
But religious zealots, appointing themselves as protectors, have been vilifying non-believers, thus dismantling the “freedom to choose religion” clause enshrined in the Constitution.
Not walking the talk
Consider the evidence that fuels public cynicism. A politician brandishes a samurai sword to intimidate the public and faces no consequences. Meanwhile, a citizen criticising a religious law loses his job and is investigated by the police.
Preachers Zamri Vinoth (left) and Zakir NaikRecall preacher Zakir Naik’s incendiary remarks or preacher Zamri Vinoth’s derogatory comments about Hindu worshipers. Instead of being held accountable, such figures are often treated with deference and hailed as defenders of faith.
Instead of being indicted, they are treated with velvet gloves and treated as messiahs, and project themselves as defenders of the religion.
These words will reverberate around the country for the wrong reasons. They would be shunned and described as another case of cakap tak serupa bikin (not walking the talk). Such sentiments had been expressed over the years by civil society leaders, academics, and concerned Malaysians, including this writer.
ADSIn his address, Anwar asked: “Are things already perfect? No. Smuggling still exists, (but) the spirit of independence means defending and liberating our nation from corruption, smuggling, and other illegal activities (through) our determination to free ourselves and eliminate such harmful practices.”
But pray tell us, Mr Prime Minister, how can our nation be free of corruption?
Corruption cases
Fellow columnist P Gunasegaram provided an incisive analysis cum insight: “The credibility of Anwar’s vow to battle corruption in Malaysia crumbled to dust when deputy public prosecutor Dusuki Mokhtar asked for and got a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) for 47 corruption and other charges against Anwar’s deputy, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“Not only is this an irretrievable and irreversible setback to Anwar’s nascent but loud plan to crush corruption, it raises questions as to whether multiple charges against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak may be similarly withdrawn by the prosecution on the same basis of selective prosecution.”
Tell us why only two people have been charged for alleged involvement in the Sabah mining scandal when several other prominent politicians were named and shamed?
Why are politically connected persons allowed to get away with fines amounting to less than half the bribes allegedly received? Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad was cleared of 12 corruption and money laundering charges related to the Jana Wibawa project after paying a compound of RM4.1 million.
Segambut Bersatu deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam MuhammadAs Anwar’s former deputy, Rafizi Ramli, asked: Can a poor person charged with a petty crime get the same deal as a VIP accused of a major financial crime?
“If regular people steal milk, the sentence is six months in jail. If VIP’s family members are accused of corruption, theft, they can pay it back and then be let free.”
There have been several instances of non-action, and yet Anwar continues his rhetoric on corruption. If he is branded as “Nato” (no action, talk only), accusations (bordering on race) will be thrown, but all we can say is: Cut the crap and get down to business - the same law and punishment for all wrongdoers. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who tries to live up to the ethos of civil rights leader John Lewis: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” Comments: [email protected].
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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