Given how tense race relations are in this country, when will the Madani administration put a full stop to all the blatant and senseless provocations?
It seems like there are still those who harbour so much hatred and bitterness in their hearts that they don't mind even using a funeral as a convenient stage to vent their pent-up rage at their enemies!
But why can't they keep race, religion, and politics out of such a sad and solemn occasion? Moreover, what right do they have to accuse others when they can't actually decipher a person's intentions?
In any case, death is supposed to be a sobering reminder to us that life is brief, and that hatred and ill feelings will not bring us anywhere.
Recently, after it was reported that several government leaders had attended the funeral of the late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, controversial Chinese Muslim convert preacher Ridhuan Tee immediately questioned their motives, raising eyebrows and sparking widespread public outrage.
But honestly, is such an action fair to a grieving family, especially when unpleasant public comments are directed at those who have come to pay their last respects to the deceased?
Surprisingly, it was MCA Youth which seemed to hit the nail on the head when it suggested that the preacher should emigrate if he can’t handle living in a diverse, multiracial Malaysia.
In fact, Ridhuan was also advised by the party's Youth deputy chairman Mike Chong to renounce his citizenship after his remarks accusing government leaders of hypocrisy at the funeral drew a fierce backlash.
And guess what, it was revealed that the controversial preacher was actually a former life member of MCA!
Meanwhile, outspoken DAP lawmaker RSN Rayer has also weighed in by lodging a police report. He alleged that Ridhuan frequently posts polarising social media content, especially calling non-Muslim political figures ultra kiasu harbi—effectively depicting them as enemies of Islam and Malays.
"Enough is enough!" Rayer declared. But someone has to ask the hard questions:
First, how many dozens of police reports need to be filed before firm action is taken against the unrepentant perpetrators?
Second, why does it always seem like PMX and his Madani government are hesitant to take action?
True, it appears that Anwar may be trapped in a sticky political quagmire—terrified, perhaps, of losing even more conservative Malay votes to his rivals especially Perikatan Nasional.
Moreover, any crackdown on high-profile Muslim preachers—especially if they are vocal PAS sympathisers—will likely be manipulated by Madani opponents and framed as an “attack on Islam.”
But even then, despite failing to take firm action against the usual rabble-rousers, didn't Pakatan Harapan fail miserably to win over the Malay electorate?
The outcome of the recent state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan—where Anwar's coalition was heavily trounced—appeared to have proven just that.
The thing is, every time the provocateurs walk away scot-free due to lax enforcement, the more their followers are emboldened to follow their lead.
In fact, a quick glance at some recent posts on the firebrand preacher’s popular Facebook page might give a clearer picture on why the minority communities in this multiracial country are deeply offended.
Here are just a few posts that some might argue are misleading and which seem to openly question the nation's documented history.
“Did non-Malays and non-Bumiputras lose their lives defending this land?”
(Credit Image: Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah Facebook)
And below, another post that appears to challenge the presence and contributions of the Chinese, Indians, and other communities here.
“It was actually the Malays who formed this country, which was originally never a multiracial nation!”
(Credit Image: Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah Facebook)
There is no mention of the pre-Islamic origins of the founder of the Melaka Sultanate, nor the historical fact that many Chinese, Indians, and other communities settled in this land nearly 600 years ago!
Now, if all these divisive and condescending comments don't violate the 3R (Race, Religion, Royalty) ruling, then what on earth does?
Hence, the burning question remains: When will the PH-led government put a stop to such endless provocations, slurs, and slanders—or do the minorities have to keep filing police reports until the cows, goats, and chickens come home?
Ultimately, if publicly shaming fellow citizens of other ethnic and religious backgrounds as kiasu or pendatang, and painting them as enemies of Islam and Malays isn't deemed touching on racial sensitivities—then what is?
Main information source: The Vibes, The Rakyat Post , Malaysiakini. and Britannica.com.
JK Joseph (jtkingsworld@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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