The aim of these laws, I assume again, is to ensure that racial and religious harmony persevere and blossom in our country.
However recent events as well as those that date back up to 15 years ago have made a mockery of these laws and even widened the mistrust and hatred among people of different races and faiths.
Purveyors of the narratives of toxic politics and extremist religious teachings have been using these two dangerous aspects for their own purposes.
I am, therefore, proposing that the ministries in charge of home affairs, religious affairs, higher education and national unity pool their resources together to set up a committee composed of credible personalities to preside over efforts to address issues that are said to be of religious and racial concerns.
I have seen many police reports filed on issues that, based on my simple reading of the facts, are either unintentional or insignificant. The actions of irresponsible social media influencers, out to make money or gain popularity for highlighting the smallest issues, have also forced some people to complain to the authorities.
When an issue is blown out of proportion by ignorant netizens, the nation suffers from a wildfire of hatred and enmity that could last a generation.
With that comes the use of racial and religious cards by irresponsible politicians who want to campaign for a certain vote bank and make a name for themselves.
We are living in a different time akin to the parched climate and dry earth conditions of California, where a single spark can turn houses, gardens and livelihoods literally into ashes.
When an opportunistic, and even ignorant, person decides that a statement or an action insults their race or religion, a police report is lodged.
The accused would not only be questioned by the police or face action. They, and even their race or faith, would also have to go through an unfair “trial by media”.
The police, to me, may unknowingly add an element of enmity by deciding which cases are to be investigated and which to not take further action.
If the cops decide that something is a non-issue, irresponsible political elements and even NGOs will accuse them of being unfair.
Therefore, I propose the establishment of a “harmony committee” of twelve persons, two each appointed by the four ministries I mentioned and another four proposed by credible civil society groups.
The committee should convene every week to review cases reported directly to them or the police, and investigate, interview, discuss and decide which reports actually merit a police investigation. This would be but one important function of the panel.
Its other important role would be to actually resolve racial and religious problems. It can do this by going to the ground to meet the accused and their accusers directly to bring down the heat and issue public statements to explain, verify and mitigate the issues concerned so that, hopefully, it would dissipate.
What should be the qualifications of the 12 committee members? I feel they should ideally have backgrounds in anthropology or culture, politics and history, arts and humanities, law and the constitution, as well as comparative religion.
Ideally the committee should be composed of 50% Muslims and 50% non-Muslims. Perhaps it can be placed under the purview of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and have access to the resources of the four ministries mentioned.
Finally, I wish to say that, as an academic and a Malaysian, I do not like where this country is headed in the way social media is used for political, religious and personal opportunism.
We must change with the times. We have recently seen drastic changes, in terms of technology, yes, but more so in our mistrust for each other.
I pray my suggestion will reach those who are in a position to use it for growth, fostering mutual respect and allowing Malaysians to learn more about each other.
# The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
