In the upcoming Ayer Kuning by-election, non-Malay voters—representing a massive 44% of the electorate—will have the opportunity to remind our politicians and their parties what Malaysia ought to stand for.
Both Umno‘s Dr Akmal Saleh and PAS have been playing race and religious politics to the hilt recently, causing many non-Malays sleepless nights.
President Donald Trump may be able to impose and lift tariffs within a day, but the propagation of race and religious narratives is bound to have consequences that last generations.
Many Malaysians have called for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his unity government to step in and address these issues decisively.
However, the truth is that they face significant challenges due to the influence of social media where a narrow and inflexible perspective of Islam is being pushed out and amplified.
This narrative has been worsened by comments emanating from preachers like Firdaus Wong, Zamri Vinod, Azhar Idrus, and even the Perlis mufti.
Since 2017, PAS has adopted Umno‘s unwanted narratives surrounding communism, Christianity and “Cina Kafir” (Chinese unbelievers).
When I was with PAS in the 30 years prior to that, such tactics were deemed demeaning, distasteful, and even sinful. That was a time when intellectuals and professionals championed the overarching narrative of “Islam for all”.
Now, PAS is led by the pool of ignorant and one-track-minded asatizah that swept 44 parliamentary seats in GE15 on the back of ignorant Undi18 voters and the disillusioned Malay middle and upper middle classes who now have more than enough money to “pay” their way to heaven by investing in Muslim-only charities and preaching Islamic politics.
However, 44% of the electorate at the upcoming Ayer Kuning by-election can send a clear message that this “Islam-only” narrative is not what our royals and forefathers wanted for this country when it was first conceived, and certainly not what our partners in Sabah and Sarawak want now.
Then there is the kind of politics that uses threats, abusive language and the “cancel” culture, particularly in the form of boycotts, instead of knowledge, diplomacy and patience.
Politicians like Akmal appear to be winning the popularity contest especially rural Malays and ignorant Malay graduates and academics. Akmal has to date ignored the advice of party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the prime minister, and even the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
His latest response to Zahid’s kind suggestion—“Jangan bergaduh dengan orang” (Let’s not argue with others)—was to arrogantly warn and threaten Malaysians not to interfere in matters involving Islam or the Malays.
Akmal has not changed and never will. His favourite target is DAP, the Chinese and, of course, Nyonya Tua.
How will he learn his lesson? Only through votes. I hope non-Malays voters will teach him a real lesson in Melaka, but they can begin in Ayer Kuning.
Tanjung Piai, where MCA scored an upset win over then prime minister and Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2019 after Zakir Naik was allowed to denigrate the Chinese people, serves as a timely reminder.
In Perak, with DAP representatives seemingly secure in their seats, there is no danger of a Perikatan Nasional takeover of the state.
That means the time is ripe to allow young politician KS Bawani to be voted in as the constituency’s Yang Berhormat.
I am sure she will also be accepted by the unity government coalition and her future constituency will be well taken care of. Bawani has been doing plenty of social work on the ground and presents the best of what we want for this country.
We have seen how the Hindu temple issue has flared up recently, with two or three other potential flashpoints also appearing. Again, two detestable preachers are at the centre of the controversy.
However, social influencers, backed by PN, are also raising the stakes. There seems to be no end to the inflammatory tactics practised on Malaysians.
We must all play our part to remind those responsible for such actions that deep respect for every community is a cornerstone of Malaysia’s identity, one that must be upheld at every turn—first, second, and always.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
