Moderation needed amid inflammatory issues

MP SPEAKS | There have been so many inflammatory issues dominating our political landscape at this moment. Most of them are sadly being coated with unhealthy and undesirable elements.

The fact that all these taking place in a new Malaysia are very worrying indeed. Certainly, we never expect, let alone want, this genre of freedom when Malaysians, for the first time in history, decided to have a new government representing them on May 9, 2018.

Yes, in Malaysia Baru, the Pakatan Harapan government happily cherishes freedom of speech and expressions duly enshrined in our Federal Constitution.

Being a responsible government, we seriously want people to feel and taste the democratic fruits. They should reap what they have sown.

It is axiomatic that unlike the present political climate, many Malaysians were routinely deprived of tasting meaningful democratic rights and liberties under the old regime.

Unfortunately, the new political fiesta comes with it some unwanted repercussions.

Apparently, some elements in our beloved land have difficulty to exercise and enjoy their blessed freedom in a responsible manner. Many seem to have taken them for granted.

Rights and freedom are being aggressively pursued without any proper sense of responsibility so much so many have trampled upon others' rights whilst enjoying theirs.

To exacerbate the situation, the new opposition parties have miserably failed to change their old habits. The adage “old habits die hard” is the best adjective to describe the true character of the present opposition political parties.

Teamed up with its new partner, the veteran Pas seems to have no problems at all in playing its new trump card -a merger of race and religious cards.

Wanting of any sense of responsibility, Pas had no qualms whatsoever in inviting Zakir Naik to its political podium, masquerading the programme under the banner of 'Unity of Ummah'.

To their credit, their new political strategy has managed to send many good feel factors duly delivered by the Harapan government into a drain.

Suddenly, the people seem to easily forget “the trial of the century” involving the former prime minister.

With the voices of Umno and Pas becoming noisy and louder each passing day, singing race and religious tunes, it ostensibly manages to provoke certain elements in Harapan and some of the NGOs.

To be fair, Bersatu, being the sole Malay-based party within the Harapan family, has been dragged onto this scary voice competition -who is the loudest in defending or championing the Malay/Muslim rights and interests?

Unfortunately, in the process of showing everybody's strength in the competition, some elements in Bersatu unintentionally seemed to have unwillingly succumbed to the Umno/Pas harmful and dangerous narrative.

In my view and with the greatest respect, Harapan does not have to follow the oppositions' narrative.

Instead, it ought to stick to its valuable principle of implementing a policy which promotes fair and justice for all irrespective of race, creed and religion.

It ought to really translate its priceless credo - Islam, as a mercy to all - into a reality. This new narrative calls for moderation in every sense of the word, especially moderation in every aspect of the governance.

MOHAMED HANIPA MAIDIN is the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.