AS a diverse country with a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population, it is essential that political parties in Malaysia reflect this diversity by working towards fostering unity and harmony among all communities.
However, the harsh reality is that race and religious-based political parties have long dominated the political landscape in Malaysia.
In recent years, there has been a growing sentiment that these types of parties are no longer suitable or relevant for a country like Malaysia.
The primary reason is that they tend to promote narrow interests and agendas that do not necessarily benefit the entire population. Many a time, they only focus on advancing the interests of a particular race or religious group which will eventually lead to tensions and conflicts in the society.
One of the best examples in this case is PAS and Bersatu. The recent controversial “nurse dress code” brought up by one of their MP in Parliament is a portrayal of narrow-mindedness given the uniform worn by nurses are designed to be functional so as to make it easier for nurses to carry out their duties and are not too tight for they adhere to the guidelines set by the Health Ministry.
As Malaysia moves forward, it is crucial that political leaders like Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to fellow civil servants from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to the Attorney-General (AG) take proper actions to address these issues.
One of the primary concerns is that some groups may leverage race or religion as a means of threatening national security. It is therefore the responsibility of the government to ensure that these groups are identified and dealt with appropriately.
This can be achieved through strengthening law enforcement and intelligence agencies as well as through the implementation of policies and measures that promote social cohesion and harmony.
At the same time, it is essential that people look beyond race and religion when choosing their political leaders and parties. They must focus on good governance and policy-based politics.
This means looking for leaders who have a clear vision for the country and who are committed to implementing policies that will benefit all Malaysians regardless of their race or religion.
In addition to good governance, it is also important to prioritise integrity and morality in politics. Corruption and immoral behaviour have no place in a democratic society and can undermine the trust and confidence of the people in their leaders.
In this regard, political parties and leaders must not only be held accountable for their actions but must work towards promoting transparency and accountability in all aspects of governance. – June 21, 2023
Papparaidu Veraman is the founder & advisor of Malaysian Indian Voice (MIV) and assistant organisational secretary to DAP Selangor.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
