M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
“Whenever and wherever religion is politicised, it will ruin the country,” said Professor Tajuddin Rasdi.
In a recent podcast with Harith Iskandar, Tajuddin, the academic from UCSI University’s School of Architecture and Built Design described some people as having the “tempurung mindset” people who act like cockroaches living under the coconut shell. Malaysia is beyond repair. Whenever and wherever religion is politicised, it will ruin the country, Tajuddin said.
Harith Iskandar and Tajuddin, a comedian and an academic respectively, discussed Islam, KK Mart, boycotts, and colourful characters in the podcast.
“It’s impossible because, for decades out of political expediency, our political establishments have conveniently used the non-Malays as a sacred tool to scare the Malays into toeing the line. In the process, they have created a monster so big that there is no turning back. The smart ones who can contribute to the economy and towards nation-building have left the country in droves and low-skill immigrants now fill the vacuum they left behind,” said in a comment in Yoursay, Malaysiakini.
Another commentator, Apanama, said: “The root cause of the problems facing our country now and in the future is conservatism among the majority race that is taking place due to mixing religion with politics. If Malaysia had adhered to secularism since day one, we wouldn’t be in this “darkest moment” that Tajuddin refers to. Malaysia is a good case study of what will happen and what it will become when society gradually moves towards the extreme right over the decades.
“With demographic changes plus conservatism in our society, the future is bleak. Politicians will not stop mixing religion with politics in this country. They will continue and may make it worse. Look at the present administration which emphasises the Islamisation agenda. The latest is Jakim’s 24-hour hotline.”
“It is politicians on both sides of the divide who are weaponising religion. There is no light at the end of the tunnel, folks. We need to live with this bleak future. Either you adapt or pack your bags. The podcast presented the most wonderful, delightful, yet authoritative knowledge on the simplicities of understanding faith. Our politicians are still using race and religion as weapons to divide the people and rule the country. They ensure that our education level remains low so that people, especially our youths, cannot think for themselves and continue to believe in their lies,” another comment stated in Yoursay.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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