LETTER | Madani should strike the right tone

LETTER | There are three issues about which our Madani society should be concerned and require a deeper and more thorough conversation with responsible leaders and authorities.

Firstly, the announcement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that official letters to government departments must be in Malay and letters written otherwise will be returned to the sender.

This announcement prompted the Sarawak state government to respond defiantly that they will maintain English as one of their official government communication languages and the prime minister’s directive does not apply in Sarawak.

This is also contrary to DAP’s consistent support for the use of the English language.

In fact, DAP, the biggest party in the government, had promised to return English as the “official language” and to allow Tamil and Mandarin to be used in state assembly and parliament proceedings.

These undertakings were published on their party’s official website, and they have in the past advocated an “English Day” - where English will be allowed to be used freely to highlight the national seriousness of restoring mastery and proficiency of English in Malaysia.

Below is an example of their official statement:

“DAP fully supports government efforts to raise English proficiency, not only in schools and universities but in the country generally, because of its importance as a global language in the era of globalisation and information and communications technology.

“English is the dominant language of commerce, of science, of the skies, of the Internet, and of opportunity.”

In case I am misunderstood, I must state that I am all for the usage of Bahasa Malaysia as the lingua franca towards national unity.

I am proud that I have mastered the usage of Bahasa Malaysia, represented my schools, and participated in inter-varsity debates using our official language.

My point is, why was this announcement not thoroughly discussed before it was announced?

Indeed, Bahasa Malaysia is our official language, but English is the language of the world, and we are desperately trying to attract more foreign direct investments (FDI).

By announcing that correspondence in English would be rejected, you will definitely set the wrong tone for potential investors.

Was such an important decision discussed with DAP leaders, or was there no prior consultation with other leaders, especially from East Malaysia, where the English language is still used and recognised officially?

What’s happening with Education Ministry?

The next jarring tone was the announcement by the Education Ministry for all schools to demonstrate and observe a solidarity week in support of the Palestinians’ cause.

Again, I must make it clear that I am all for the Palestinian cause, but to introduce or involve our students in schools in a complicated international conflict in which many adults are also lost and confused is a sure no!

This conflict is serious and complicated. We have, in the past, forbidden university students to indulge in politics for fear that they would be distracted.

How can the Madani government introduce an activity that will have a tendency to sow hatred in young and impressionable minds?

Have we forgotten that we want our students to focus on their education? We have already “messed up our education” system with too much politics. Are the destructions not bad enough?

Every new education minister that came in the past tends to politicise our educational system for their own political optics and narratives.

Malaysians are jaded and would like to see apt and correct decisions made for our students and schools. If we want to teach empathy, human rights and others, let’s do it as a subject and not give them an Israel or Hamas identity as a background.

We should be teaching about peace, tolerance, and harmony among all religions, cultures, and ethnicities instead of drumming up emotional support or propaganda laced with hate and war.

Kudos to Johari

Lastly, I would like to praise the Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul for being firm, right and correct. He should have been made our Madani politician of the year when he banned certain derogatory words from being used in the house.

I had taken up the issue of “kafir” (infidel) as a lawmaker and a lover of peace.

I had spoken out strongly against the Pahang mufti when he labelled DAP as “kafir harbi” in 2016 - when there was opposition to Act 355 then.

I am repeating my concerns that the words “kafir”, “kafir harbi", “kafir dhimmi” and others are not part of our legal concept and should not be used in the political or legal context freely and irresponsibly.

These concepts, if discussed publicly, may confuse and influence nubile minds, leading to more prejudices and even aggression or physical violence along such misconceived lines.

In the past, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had labelled Umno members as “kafir”. The Pahang mufti had labelled DAP as “kafir harbi”. What’s next?

If we accidentally normalise or embrace this concept into our legal system, where do we go from here?

Who is to decide whether you’re “kafir harbi” (whose blood is legal) or “kafir dhimmi” (where tax is payable by non-Muslims)?

What about those who started to refer to non-Muslims as “kafir harbi” and “kafir dhimmi” in a derogatory manner? To the less confused minds, they may be emphasising the “taxes” to be collected or “blood” that can be drawn next.

I know many have avoided discussing this issue as it is deemed religiously sensitive, but as a responsible Madani and civic-minded citizen and leader of the country, we need the authorities to step up and resolve this potentially explosive and dangerous issue.

Indonesia had started on the right footing when they stopped the indiscriminate use of the word “kafir”.

In the past, I have said this to a PAS assemblyperson in the Pahang state assembly, and I will say it again.

No one should play god! There’s a distinction between a true messenger of God who seeks the truth and upholds justice and a “madman” wanting to rule or dominate another.

Let's not let the mad person in us run wild and remind ourselves to fear the wrath of god!

Writer is a Dewan Negara member and former MCA vice-president.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.