Who could disagree with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when he said that Malaysians should not resort to pitting one’s race and religion against each other when attempting to settle business disputes? It is so blatantly obvious, I must say.

However, what the DPM said matters. Nowadays, even politically correct statements are difficult to come by. Politicians in power are generally too hamstrung by racial and religious dynamics in the country. The two are now potent cocktails with inertia of their own. It is therefore hard for politicians to disengage race and religion even though they know that is the right thing to do.

Hence, I want to commend and encourage our DPM to highlight the peril of using race and religion to solve disputes and problems. In fact, I urge him to move a step further; he must match his words with actions.

There is so much of dissonance between words and actions now. Words alone, if not followed up by actions, will only cause more frustration and disappointment.

So, here is what I think our DPM should do.

First, be fair and be firm. Take action against instigators and troublemakers immediately and in no uncertain terms. Any sign of condonation will only serve to encourage more delinquencies. I think those in authority must do some serious soul-searching. Have they been effective? Have they been double quick in taking actions in some cases and closing both eyes on the others?

The DPM must make those responsible to account for their actions. Is it acceptable for an NGO or a political leader aspiring for public office someday to call for a total boycott of businesses run by another race? Is it acceptable when one racial group attacks a retail outlet manned by another racial group using whatever justifications?

All these baloney has never happened in Malaysia before, so why now?

Dishonest traders will cheat anybody

Second, educate and inculcate. Leadership has responsibility - use reasons and logic to explain issues to the people. Why would a con man cheat others only based on one’s race and religion? To me, a con man would cheat based on opportunity, ignorance and stupidity. I am sorry; those who think otherwise are not logical people.

A dishonest Chinese trader will cheat anybody, not just Malays. An ignorant Malay consumer will be cheated by anybody - Malay, Chinese, Indian, or now Burmese and Bangladeshi.

Third, always think and act towards inclusiveness. Low Yat Plaza and Kota Raya are the unintended consequences of market forces. Through acumen and other advantages, Chinese traders have dominated the two places. Some businesses there could have resorted to shortchanging or cheating customers.

However, this alone is no excuse for the government to set up a parallel mall that divides and segregates the people completely. By all means, help the Malay traders - but certainly not in a way that causes so much animosity and disharmony when its success is not even assured.

Economic and business programmes must not defy logic and common sense. 100 percent bumiputera retail outlets have never been decreed by the government before, so why now? Which retail sector will be next?

I would prefer that the government step up competition and enforcement. Malaysia is known for having the most number of enforcement officers in all and sundry. They might as well station some of these redundant enforcement officers in the buildings to reduce disputes between the consumers and traders.