I had to write and pour cold water onto the pretension that Malaysia suddenly is a just, fair and equal society. Maybe it is a bug brought by the typhoon that hit Hong Kong, maybe it is an illusion that we create so that we can be happy we are doing something to promote a fair society, but at the end of that, who are we kidding?

Incident 1

It was started when Afdlin Shauki got upset when local mixed-language films were left out of the Best Picture category for the FFM awards, and then others jumped onto the bandwagon.

While I accept it is the right of everyone to champion whatever cause they see fit, what is the point of this crusade?

Equal rights for all, is it?

Really? In the general scheme of things, this is the lowest and most not-beneficial right to fight for. FFM has the right to set its own rule and it did. It will not benefit anyone and now various other groups are on a crusade for the original categories and conditions to be reinstated.

It would be better if the fight is to ensure equal access to local government funding for local movies or equal access to Skim Wajib Tayang or make it better.

Awards are just for ego boosting and self-patting on the back and high five-ing. What good does it do in the long run for either of these movies in question or in the long run for local productions?

In this matter the writer of this letter nicely summarised the hypocrisy.

For the people who freely jumped on the bandwagon and screamed discrimination, can I point out or ask them to scream and object vehemently when only a particular race monopolises all top posts at government or government-controlled entities. Surely this is a better crusade to get into? Do all language speakers have access to the same opportunity for government funding for education or sports?

Incident 2

The formation of the new party by Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin has garnered some criticism for being a one-race party.

Hello, Malaysia! Wakey-wakey. The fundamental system at play in our political system is race-based parties and it has existed for eons. Why pick on Bersatu? Even MCA picked on them. Really.

In a democracy, parties should be able to be formed freely and should be able to champion any cause. It is up the people to support or reject them. Of course any party that is advocating violence against other races or anti-democracy practices should not be allowed.

Remember the Monster Raving Loony Party, they were allowed to contest, that’s how democracy should work.

In fact, in Malaysia many of the existing parties are quite confused of their own name and charter. Umno is for Malays, it is meant for Malays but slowly it started accepting Muslims who are not Malays. MIC is for Indians but mainly champions and operated by Tamils. Hindraf was set up as a Hindu action force but it champions Indians. PAS is meant for Muslims but it champions Malay Muslims mainly.

Incident 3

Anything that happens in Kota Baru or Kelantan that involves non-Muslims will be blown up as big as it comes.

This is pure politics in play.

Yes, of course it was silly of the Kota Baru Municipal Council to summon traders for ‘exposing aurat’. This is barmy.

However, why pick on the Kota Baru council? Other councils have come up with equal bizarre proclamations. How come this was not blown up in the media?

Yes, of course, since Kota Baru is a PAS-controlled area?

How about Shah Alam, why the ban on cinemas? Surely this is the right of people as well? Although the opposition controls the Shah Alam local government now, this ban was introduced during BN days, so no one picks on it.

Let’s stop pretending that we are a just and equal society and fight for what really matters, not just the peripherals and incidentals that do not matter one way or another to the vast majority.