In recent times, Malaysian society has regressed into a shadow of what our founding mothers and fathers envisioned. The steady but slow decline into the abyss of polarisation has resulted in overwhelming suspicion of each other and our increasing unwillingness to accept diversity.

How can we accept diversity when leaders in Putrajaya - who ought to show good examples, are simply too busy doing everything else but governing this nation?

For the past few months, we find ourselves in situations that test our loyalty, patience and understanding. Issues ranging from political opinions (Bersih, ‘Muslim ban’, Dr Mahathir Mohamad) to religious matters (halal cake, Act 355, pig bristle brushes,) display one thing in common - Malaysians are no longer able to carry legitimate opinions any more because the ability to carry rational discourse is simply lacking.

Expressing differing views are often seen as an act of abandoning one’s principles and betraying one’s race (or in most cases, these days, religious beliefs); those who speak out are immediately ostracised and demonised.

Yes, this is the new Malaysia.

What we are today is made possible by those who sit comfortably in the corridors of power in Putrajaya; these are the ones who have mastered the art of control - exploiting issues relating to race and religion by rousing stereotypes and our innermost insecurities or fear.

For most, religion has become more than just guidelines for human beings. For us, religion has become more of an identity for a group of people, taking over ancient traditional cultures and replacing it with beliefs that prioritise the after-life rather than the present real world. When religion is accepted as a form of identity, it becomes inextricable because it legitimises exclusivity and shapes a person’s self-understanding of nationality.

With the presence of different sects, differing schools of thoughts and the ever-volatile mix of ignorance and insecurities - religion becomes an easy political tool to keep people in line.

But what does this all mean for present day Malaysians? Oversimplification of issues and dismissing them without understanding the crux of the problem will not provide us a clearer picture. Our society is simply moving in the opposite direction - back towards the credulous, the obedient and the compliant.

Issues relating to a well known franchise’s decision to disallow non-halal cakes in their premises, a peaceful demonstration in front of a certain embassy and paint brushes made from questionable material, display levels of intolerance, bigotry and unrelenting inflexibility, perfect elements to solidify divisive tactics and justify those who champion politics of fear.

Najib Abdul Razak’s ‘National Transformation 2050' and ‘1Malaysia’ were created to foster unity and promote diversity but lacked the sincerity and drive Malaysians needed. Both utopian concepts were too far-fetched and detached. Both utopian concepts unravel bogus and hollow visions that simply fail to provide true nation-building. The accurate kind we need today because of the damage caused by years of neglect and partiality.

Trend of anti-intellectualism

The growing trend of anti-intellectualism in Malaysia is indeed disturbing because it dismisses logic, discourse while disregarding science and humanities and replace these ideas with ignorance, a sense of self-righteousness and calculated gullibility.

Issac Asimov once said, “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge’.”

Sadly, these words are all too real because organisations like the red-shirts and individuals like Tajuddin Abdul Rahman are here to remind us that ignorance is indeed tolerated, as long as someone funds this destructive ideology and as long as political organisations promote them through government policies, departments and pretty much infest the entire system with their propaganda.

Being a democratic society, we often uphold freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Hence, there are those who walk amongst us who believe that they have every right to condemn religious practices that violate fundamental human rights but on the other hand, should the same notion be extended to those who believe otherwise?

And if so, how can Malaysians find that middle ground we so desperately need today?

It is time we redress race and religious issues; more so how we as Malaysians handle such sensitive matters. We can no longer keep mum and pretend that this cancer will stop spreading.

Irrespective of religious beliefs and race, Malaysians who care about the state of our nation must speak up against extreme interpretations of their faith and we must do this thoughtfully and delicately. Failure to do so simply means that we have failed to acknowledge just how intricate and inextricable religion has become in our culture.

The last thing we should do right now is to express insensitive remarks and playing into the stereotype those from the far right have laid out for us. Failure to identify what makes us a nation (rather than little pockets of insular communities) is simply conceding defeat to bigotry at its darkest hour.

SYERLEENA ABDUL RASHID is DAP Wanita national assistant publicity secretary, Penang DAP assistant publicity secretary, Penang DAP Wanita political education director and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.