THE stark reality that emerged from the Hindu temple row is that when it comes to religion, the Malays will close ranks—be they in the government or the opposition.
Religion is the one issue that can make or break the career of a politician aspiring to climb the slippery totem pole of power.
Other national issues can take the backseat as they do not carry as much weight and importance as matters that touch the spiritual realm.
When it comes to fighting for your faith, all people, from the humblest to the most high, will immediately answer the call to defend their sacred ground.
Politicians know very well that the most effective sure-fire way to strike a chord is to play up a sensitive topic.
When emotions are whipped up through the roof, that’s the moment for politicians to don their shining armour and lead the charge to the frontline.
However, using the weapons of religion to burnish your credentials is a cheap way to garner instant support and overnight fame.
But that’s how things are in Malaysia. Politicians are always on the prowl looking for any sensitive issue with a religious slant to exploit and fan into a bigger flame.
The matter may be insignificant but the bigots will promptly make a mountain out of a molehill and ceaselessly sound the alarm throughout the nation.
People will rush to the barricade in the belief that the status of their religion has been challenged and must be repulsed. It has become a matter of life-and-death.
How then can this trend be reversed? Impossible! As long as the doctrine of racial supremacy is preached and practised, the country will always be sitting on a tinderbox.
Malay-based political parties, whether in the government or outside the arena, are all united in their fight against outsiders if the latter are perceived trying to dip their fingers into their religious affairs.
PAS, PKR, Bersatu and UMNO may be political enemies but when it comes to religion, they bury their hatchet and join forces to face the outsiders.
The “war cry” that is most often heard is “don’t think the Malays are weak”, which carries a dark warning that they can go on the offensive if they are provoked beyond endurance.
Are there any lessons to be drawn from the Hindu temple episode? None. It left only a bitter aftertaste to those whose hope of seeing the 130-year-old temple stay intact demolished. – March 31, 2025
Phlip Rodrigues is a retired journalist.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: The Edge Malaysia
