Clashes of opinion between followers of different religions are getting more and more dangerous these days. Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi even threatened anyone who speak racist remark with a much-feared detention without trial under the ISA (Internal Security Act). Abdullah's spoke of a need to safeguard nation from racial conflicts, and the ISA is one handy tool for him to do just that. Detain anyone who is potentially a threat to Malaysia racial unity, and "everything will be just fine". Superficially!
Compounded by a controversial racist remark that came from the big mouth of the UMNO Bukit Bendera Division Chief. Very much flurry of slurs were exchanged after that, particularly between Datuk Ahmad Ismail and Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Khoon, and guess what! MCA Perak was also in the skirmish, playing along a racial overtone that they have long ago abandoned! Only after March 8 General Election, MCA suddenly realizes their mistakes and starts to make noise in a matter especially this. Matter which involves the Chinese community. Though it seems a bit too late. But I maybe wrong.
In the middle of teetering racial tension, danger lurks and just waiting for something, someone or any event that will lead to a catastrophic chaos in Malaysia. It could well be in the form of a stupid high-ranking racist leader. And God Forbid, one tragedy followed by a sequence of unfortunate events will lead to something unimaginable. We don't want that to happen here in Malaysia. We have long been living harmoniously with each other for as long as we can remember. Well it is at least true to Sabahans. We never had that kind of racial tension in Sabah. The people are extremely tolerant toward each other. That's the recipe that people in Malaya should learn from us Sabahans.
I think as Sabahans you should have experience this so-called "Muhibbah". In any occasion. Be it a wedding reception, a birthday party, chinese new year, kaamatan, hari raya, or even a burial service. There will be muslims and non muslims attending. Foods are spread for everyone regardless of faiths. Of course with certain degree of respect, the food for Muslim and Non-Muslim are laid in separate tables. Definitely no "haram" food or beverages on the muslim's side. No sweat, we understood that. Despite that, Sabahans of different religions and faiths are still able to mingle and share whatever they have among each other. No issues of sharing plates, fork and spoons. Not even an issue for sharing water from a cup or bottle that was half-consumed by a friend of different religion. I believe small gestures like these foster strong harmonious relation between different races and religions. This hardly happen anywhere in Peninsular Malaysia, though racial conflict has so far successfully been put in check.
But hold on to your seat! Last night TV3 brought about a news report about a horrific religious conflict that happened in Tanzania, Africa. If Im not mistaken, it was in 1998. Fuck! I didn't really pay attention to the newscaster. I just gasped in horror, unable to comprehend the stupid, foolish, brainless thick skull TV3 Buletin Utama producer. The recollection started with a statistic telling the percentage of Muslim in the African continent. 41% percent Muslims make up the second largest religion after the christians. Then came gory images of people scattered on the street, bleeding, shot and dead. TV3 reported the mass murders occurred in front of a mosque after a prayer. Coupled with provocative commentaries such as the massacre was done by christians, reportedly angered after an Imam delivered a sermon that says "Jesus is not the son of God". How the freedom of religion for the muslim was denied in Tanzania and all other rhetorics about unfair treatments by the christians.
The news will definitely put the christians in bad light, don't you think? Do you think it's good for racial harmony here in Malaysia? Do you think the muslim and non-muslim can learn something out of it? No no no it is really unwise for TV3 to show this kind of program. I was angry, because the images shown were utterly nerve-racking, explicit. And I think it can somehow irritate the muslims. It can influence those who are narrow minded muslim and non-muslim alike. It can fan racial sentiments to inferno. One which could escalate into crisis proportion. Rubbing salt into the wound was what TV3 have done so far. Since March 8 general election TV3 have consistently belaboured on racism, many questionable and dubious content were fed to the people. A lot of news that could develop racial tension were broadcasted irresponsibly. Another example was the demonstration by the Malays in Penang Komtar building. Soon after Lim Guan Eng announced a measure which is against the NEP (New Economic Policy).
Moreover the report about Tanzania may be wryly skewed to one side. It may not be accurate based on true events. I think only the Tanzanians can judge, on who is right and who is wrong. They were the ones who experienced the conflict first hand. How can a Malaysian be the judge? How does TV3 got its fact right? Isn't this tantamount to meddling into another country internal affair? Our ministers will certainly go berserk if a Singapore TV station to report something of this sort happening here in Malaysia. They will say Don't Meddle into our Internal Affair! We have Our Rule Of Law! Mind your Own Business! Jangan Kacau Malaysia! Jagalah Tepi Kain Sendiri!
How can they broadcast this provocative story? What is their intention? Do they have ulterior motives? Or are they just plainly stupid morons? May I suggest Abdullah to exercise his handy ISA to the producer of Buletin Utama and the Management of TV3. And to all folks, from now on, please shun TV3 Buletin Utama, for a better Malaysia.
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