If “respect” for others is one of the core values of PM Anwar's Madani framework, then why do some in his administration violate it?
Another race-related uproar seems to have erupted in the country. The latest came after recently appointed Community Communications Department (J-Kom) director-general Hisyamuddin Ghazali allegedly branded two vocal government critics as “Cina sesat” on Facebook.
Unsurprisingly, Hisyamuddin, also known as Syam Ghaz, has come under fire from across the political spectrum, drawing sharp criticism from both government and opposition figures.
He has since strongly denied the racism allegations, claiming his words were deliberately twisted. According to Hisyamuddin, the phrase was never meant for the wider Chinese community, but was a specific response directed only at social media personalities Eric See-To and Albert Tei.
But here is the problem: the moment you drag the word "Cina"—or even "Melayu" or "India" for that matter—into an insult, you aren't just naming individuals. You are pulling an entire race through the mud!
This is exactly like how some nincompoops on social media tend to mindlessly post sweeping and senseless slurs with ethnic markers such as “Melayu Malas” or “India Mabuk”—oblivious to the fact that there are actually lazy, drunk, or sesat (deviant) people in every community.
And if such demeaning terms are not “racist” in the eyes of the public, then what is?
Many peace-loving people will agree that not only should such disrespectful language be banned, but those who utter such words should also be held accountable—regardless of which side of the political divide they come from.
Of course, if an ordinary person on the street fails to comprehend that logic, it is still understandable—but certainly not politicians, influential public figures, or government officials.
Back in 2016, during the Najib era, an outspoken UMNO leader also came under the spotlight for allegedly uttering a racist slur though he later denied it.
Screenshot of news headline and image from Malaysiakini.
No doubt, critics will be quick to point out that spewing such inappropriate racially provocative terms actually crosses the red line while tarnishing the very image of the "Malaysia Madani" concept painstakingly promoted by PM Anwar.
Using a racial reference in a public statement and then claiming it was only meant for specific individuals is also bound to attract negative publicity—regardless of how sincerely it was intended.
Shouldn't racial innuendoes be strictly prohibited in all government agencies?
Perhaps civil servants should be reminded regularly that they are appointed to serve the rakyat, and that taxpayers’ hard-earned money funds their salaries. As such, a modicum of respect is surely due.
In the case of J-Kom, many perplexed citizens are bound to ask: if its primary function is to shield the administration and its leadership—even from constructive critique—then isn't something amiss?
At the end of the day, if any agency is embroiled in constant controversy and does little to actually serve the people, then the solution is straightforward—either repurpose it or disband it!
Wouldn't doing so be a rare feather in the cap for PH in its stuttering “reforms” drive?
With millions of ringgit believed to be spent to run the much-maligned agency, wouldn't some argue that it is far more noble to redirect those funds to a critical area of need in the country—something that directly benefits the rakyat?
Why not use it for public healthcare to mitigate mounting medical costs and upgrade existing facilities in our public hospitals, to save precious lives?
Wouldn't it also be better spent hiring more medical staff to complement our overworked doctors, nurses, and support staff who are currently labouring in packed emergency rooms, wards, and clinics?
The uncomfortable truth is, J-Kom is supposed to communicate state policies; it should not be seen to function like state-sponsored, legalised cyber-troopers.
If the government needs to announce a new subsidy plan or a public health notice, don't we already have the Ministry of Communications?
Likewise, if slanderous statements or accusations are unfairly hurled at the government or the rulers, isn't there the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to deal with the culprits?
Ultimately, what any rational, law-abiding citizen is forced to ask is this: why does a responsible democratic nation, equipped with its own Federal Constitution and guided by the Rukun Negara, need a propaganda machine in the first place?
Main information source: Malaysiakini.
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