Two days ago, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin expressed concern over racial polarisation in the country “as the trend now is as if the people are getting more hypersensitive”.
Muhyiddin is right except that he has himself been the problem instead of being the solution to the problem of racial polarisation.
This is best illustrated by Muhyiddin’s strong reaction yesterday deploring “the callousness of some towards Islam and Muslim sensitivities” which he said could spark unrest and create discord among the people.
He said he was perplexed as to why some quarters were out to undermine Islam and Muslims.
He said: “Is this a manifestation of the assumption of some quarters that we (Muslims) are weak and that they could walk all over us? Or that we are afraid to react when others insult the sanctity of Islam?
“Could they be simply ignorant and not understand the values of faith?
“No Muslim has made fun of other faiths.” (New Straits Times p.6 31/7/13)
Muhyiddin was referring to a 1.44 minute video which showed an individual walking three dogs near a mosque with the takbir raya playing in the background.
Muhyiddin wanted the authorities to take swift action to prevent a recurrence, saying:
“Unfortunately, it keeps happening. We hope it will not reach a stage where it can trigger chaos, as what is happening in other Muslim nations.”
Muhyiddin said Malaysia was a blessed and prosperous nation where its people were privileged to perform their daily routine in peace. The people should not take the peace and harmony for granted.
Muhyiddin should apologise for jumping the gun in falsely blaming non-Muslim “callousness towards Islam and Muslim sensitivities” for the latest controversial 1.44 minute video.
Secondly, Muhyiddin should also apologise for condemning the video without checking the facts.
The maker of the 1.44 minute video, Maznah Mohd Yusof, better known as Chetz, has come out to deny that she had meant the clip as an insult to her religion, Islam.
She said: “I have no intention to demean Islam; I had begun making the video just for fun but later decided to ‘educate’ outsiders on dogs and cleanliness.” (The Malay Mail Online).
To Malaysiakini, she said:
“I love my religion. I think these people should learn about their religion first, and not misinterpret my video, which was made three years ago.
“My religion has taught me about the importance of cleanliness… hence this why in the video, I am cleaning myself and my dogs.”
Malaysia will be celebrating our 56th National Day in a month’s time but there will be nothing much to celebrate if the country continues to hurtle towards greater racial and religious polarisation in the country.
All leaders, in particular the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and leaders from all political parties, both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, must do their part to check the slide towards greater racial and religious polarisation in the country.
Can Muhyiddin play his part in this Malaysian nation-building process?
Yes, but he must demonsrate that he is a DPM for all Malaysians and not just for UMNO – that he is Malaysian first, Malay second rather than Malay first, Malaysian second as he had declared when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak unveiled his 1Malaysia signature policy four years ago.