A Pusat Komas report says interethnic discrimination continues to be 'quite high', which

prevents citizens from embracing a Bangsa Malaysia identity. The Malaysian Insight
file pic, September 20, 2017.

After 60 years of nation-building, ethnic

discrimination still high
Sheridan MahaveraUpdated about 7 hours ago Published on 20 Sep 2017 11:00AM 0
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themalaysianinsight.com |

RACISM has become more pronounced and is increasingly being used to divide and rule,
Pusat Komas in its 2016 racial discrimination report found.

The civil society group that works for communal harmony added that interethnic
discrimination continues to be quite high, which is preventing citizens from truly
embracing a common Bangsa Malaysia identity.

And what is especially worrying, said Komas, was that many still believed that racist
attitudes and discriminatory behaviour were justified, even as Malaysia celebrates 60
years of independence.

Pusat Komas programme director Adli Zakuan Zairakithnaini told The Malaysian Insight
that this was despite the governments attempts to promote interethnic harmony.

"Ethnic discrimination is being committed not just by the government against citizens but
also by private corporations against citizens, and between individuals.

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There is a feeling that just because we celebrate all these different religious festivals, we
are peaceful and that everything is okay.

That, when compared with Myanmar or Sri Lanka, we are okay. The reality is that we
have a long way to go, Adli Zakuan told The Malaysian Insight, ahead of Komas 7th
conference on cultural rights and discrimination in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

The conference is a platform for government agencies, civil society and youth groups to
discuss strategies to end racial discrimination and inculcate the Bangsa Malaysia ideal.

According to Komass 2016 report, these incidents were classified as occurring in social
media and the Internet and in the real world. The report also included examples of
racially charged provocative behaviour.

These incidents were grouped under 10 categories:

1. Racial discrimination in the education sector

2. Racialising criminality

3. Racism in the business environment

4. Discrimination based on dress code and service delivery

5. Groups, agencies and individuals that use provocative racial sentiments

6. Political groups, hate speech and racial statements

7. Entrenched racial discrimination among Malaysians

8. Racial discrimination in the name of religion

9. Racial discrimination in other industries such as entertainment.

10. Xenophobic behaviour towards foreigners.

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Although the report does not catalogue all incidences of racism and discrimination, it
listed 42 serious examples in the above 10 categories.

These include the abuse and inhumane treatment of Orang Asal children in a Kelantanese
school, Malay and non-Malay customers being unfairly treated by different businesses
and the creation of ethnically homogenous parliamentary seats by the Election
Commission.

The report also called out members of ruling party Umno for using racism as a political
agenda, Malay supremacist activists for holding a racially charged protest against DAP
and the governments sheltering of controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

Malaysians xenophobic attitude towards foreigners were also highlighted and included
examples of demeaning behaviour towards Africans, Bangladeshis and Chinese nationals.

The report does not really quantify the extent of racism in the country, but
manifestations of it. Racism is an outlook on life while discriminating behaviour is the
manifestation of that outlook, Adli Zakuan.

The belief that discrimination is still justified is based on a combination of a

misinterpretation of the constitution and race-based politics that have endured since
Merdeka.

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We find that even some Malays for instance, believe that the government (which is ruled
by Malay party Umno) does not do enough for the community, said Adli Zakuan.

They feel that the discrimination against other communities is justified.

As feelings of communalism deepen in some sections of the Malay community, it also

makes minority groups more conservative.

This is both a local and global trend, said , said Adli Zakuan citing the rise of white
nationalism, and the Sarawak for Sarawakians as examples.

Some Malaysians of Indian descent are turning to Indias Hindu supremacist party the
BJP as a source of empowerment, he said as the community feels even more shoved to
the margins.

To end discrimination and promote more inclusivity, Adli Zakuan believes that Malaysia
has to stop race-based politics and move to a form of politics that looks at needs rather
than identity.

It is here that he sees positive signs such as how a new Malay-based party, Bersatu is
gaining support among Malays without harping on Malay rights.

Even though race-based politics brought us to where we are now, we are heartened to
see that there are now many alternative parties that want to create a new form of politics
that is non-discriminatory. September 20, 2017.

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