LETTER | Divisive racist rhetoric lives a pervasive existence in Malaysia today. At its very best it represents an abysmal regression in our society, the sort unbecoming of the nation we should strive to be in the 21st century. Rather than uniting to succeed through the pivotal challenges and disruptions of the present, many Malaysians are focusing on the ultimately inconsequential differences between ourselves. 

We are essentially taking up arms against each other instead of using that same energy to put forward measures to: 

i) enhance the resilience of our national economy against what is rapidly descending into an uncertain global economic climate; 

ii) protect and strengthen our democratic values, individual human rights and freedoms; 

iii) fortify our institutions; 

iv) ameliorate our healthcare and education services; 

v) make progress on decarbonisation; 

vi) minimise income and wealth inequality and stimulate upward social mobility; 

vii) do I really need to go on?

There are unequivocally a million issues that we as a nation need to come together to sort out, but first, we need to put a halt to the utterly useless distractions that racist haranguing is promulgating across our country. 

Every Malaysian is a stakeholder in this pathetic mess, just as every Malaysian is going to be a loser if we fall into a recession, weaken our democracy and institutions, fail to improve our rights and freedoms, refuse to invest in our schools and hospitals, make lamentable progress on mitigating climate change, and prove incapable of shrinking economic inequalities. 

If anyone (or more likely a combination) of those denouements come to pass, I wonder if we’ll reflect on how much time we wasted on matters as trivial as the colour of our skin.

To the politicians, you’re the elected representatives of Malaysia and of Malaysian citizens. A strong argument can be made that you should represent the best of what Malaysian society has to offer to the world. Reflect on yourselves and think about how your actions help or hinder this role of yours, and make any necessary changes with haste. 

Abjure any publicly racist rhetoric, and repudiate its purveyors. You are the first shield we have against this toxicity. You know more than most how perilous the times we live in is, and that we have a litany of arduous obstacles to clear in order for us to progress as a nation. 

Set the stage for a harmonious society; working in unison gives us a better opportunity to successfully navigate any and every challenge the future may hold.

To the media, refuse to emphasise the comments of any instigators of such malignancy. The opinions of Zakir Naik, for example, fall into this category. Yet, what obligation do we have to heed his uncultivated commentary on matters pertinent to Malaysia? He’s the closest thing to a global outcast there is, yet we show him so much reverence that his comments make the front pages. That has to change. 

No such individuals deserve their cancerous thoughts shared with millions of Malaysians. Reflect on the importance of your role within Malaysian society and make any necessary changes to improve yourselves with haste. You are the second shield we have against this toxicity. 

By placing greater focus on matters of consequence and encouraging a sense of harmony within our society, we will have a better chance to successfully navigate any and every challenge the future may hold.

To business leaders, you are exemplars whom many Malaysians seek to emulate. Make it clear within your organisations that there is no tolerance for racist behaviour or commentary across your body of staff; after all, greater diversity has positive impacts on profitability and the creation of genial workplace culture. 

Your words hold more sway than most; take advantage of this almost priceless blessing and do your part spreading the message of unity. You are the third shield we have against this toxicity. Help us eliminate the persistence of racism by countering it swiftly and resolutely, by acting as a centrifugal force of tolerance from within your organisations.

To parents, you are quite possibly the most critical stakeholders within this list. Do as good parents should; disavow racism, and instil within your children the values of tolerance and acceptance. No child is born racist, and how they develop as adults are for better or worse a reflection on how they were raised. You are the guardians of the future of Malaysian society, and a cognisant society will set the foundations for a more successful nation.

To everyone else, reflect. There is something within every culture that is admirable, and there are always things about humanity as a whole that aren’t regardless of gender, race, religion or any other arbitrary factor that serves to differentiate rather than unite. As much as you can, refrain from engaging your effort and time in racist action, and rebuke those who propagate it. 

Ultimately, in a democratic society, it is you who will determine what the politicians focus on and what the media covers; it’s your attention, your votes, your time that is of most value to these groups at the forefront of our society. You know full well that life is riddled with enough difficulties and that this relatively easily-solved conundrum over race is not worth the embezzlement of our energy.

The future is shrouded in uncertainty and will likely pose numerous existential problems for the human race. If we continue to get derailed by insular, inconsequential negativity, what hope will we have of coming together to tackle issues of importance moving forward? Probably very little.

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