COMMENT From the Chinese tsunami to the latest inflammatory Facebook post by Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s urging for 1Malaysia rings hollow, unless stern actions are taken against pro-Umno and Barisan Nasional politicians.

To show that he means business, this will have to also include sacking his cabinet ministers, who go contrary to the Muhibbah spirit. Malaysians generally believe in racial harmony, except for the so-called “few stubborn Umno politicians”.

To those who defend the Royal Institution, Ismail Sabri’s latest post done around the same time as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech is clearly an insult to His Majesty, whose official speech had asked to preserve racial harmony in the country. In fact, the present Agong had time and again expressed his concerns over the way how race relations are being handled in this country.

Against this backdrop, it is, therefore, shocking how the Prime Minister’s Office can sweep Ismail Sabri’s comments under the carpet, by saying that Ismail Sabri’s statement was not meant to target the Chinese traders alone.

This would immediately put inspector-general of police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar ( left ) in a bad light, as he had earlier instructed his men to get a statement from the minister. The IGP would not be able to do anything beyond just getting his men to do some paperwork.

 

Reverse psychology

The statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued right after the cabinet meeting yesterday (Feb 4) will also mean many others will copy the style in which Ismail Sabri had written his Facebook post. Someone may come out with a post that reads like this:

“Both the Chinese and the Indians in this country, as well as the bumiputra in Sabah and Sarawak, should start boycotting the Muslim food outlets and other businesses operated by them, since it is the latter in the likes of Ismail Sabri and others like Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman and Ibrahim Ali, who have continuously played up the politics on pig farms, race and religion.”

No effect? Impact not strong enough for Najib and the likes of Ismail Sabri to realise the mistake that they make?

Perhaps, only this would do? “Every Chinese and Indian, including the bumiputra community in Sabah and Sarawak, and the moderate Malays, should now boycott Umno and the coalition that it leads, in the coming general election. Let us cast a vote against Umno and other BN component parties to teach Umno and Najib one big lesson!”

Let us show them who is the boss. The rakyat, which means you and I, irrespective of our race, religion, or creed are the bosses! Unless Najib shows that he is serious about his 1Malaysia slogan, he has indeed failed to walk the talk. There is no point now trying to regain the support of the non-Muslims. He can also ‘kiss’ the votes by moderate Malays goodbye.

Even the Moderate Malays have shown that they reject Umno’s race politics and its incessant efforts to pit one race against another. This has started since former prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad wrote his book, ‘The Malay Dilemma’ in the 70s in order to win the support of the Malays, of whom he is not. Till today, the dilemma syndrome is still not over but getting worse.

What choices does Najib have?

Najib does not have many choices where the public is concerned especially after his own cabinet minister is showing the arrogant and insolent side of Umno politics. We must not forget that the statement did not come from one man, but an entire group of Umno men at the Riverside Café in Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

Perhaps, taking the cue from Ismail Sabri, it is also time for non-Malay businesses should also start boycotting PWTC as the venue for exhibitions. We should also stop eating at the Riverside Café.

This, Najib has to realise, is the impact of his minister’s statement. Ask any man on the street, and it is obvious that Sabri has infuriated the Chinese community with his mischievous and highly inflammatory remarks.

Therefore, what choices does Najib have except to sack his cabinet minister with immediate effect, or charge him under the Sedition Act to show that he means business, or Najib can forever kiss his 1Malaysia slogan goodbye. If Najib cannot even use the Sedition Act against his own men, he should just repeal the Act, or be forced to step down.

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.