COMMENT "...But while we think of the past, we look forward in faith and hope to the future; from henceforth we are masters of our destiny, and the welfare of this beloved land is our own responsibility. Let no one think we have reached the end of the road. Independence is indeed a milestone, but it is only the threshold to high endeavour - the creation of a new and sovereign state.

                                                                       

"At this solemn moment, I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya: to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty - a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world."

 

Close to six decades have passed since the nation's founding father and Umno's second president Tunku Abdul Rahman made the above remarks at the proclamation of independence.

 

Some years later, Tunku followed up with this speech to commemorate the formation of Malaysia.

 

"Let us always remember that the Malayan nation was formed after many difficulties during a long period of national emergency, yet its multiracial society emerged, endured and survived as a successful and progressive nation, a true democracy and an example to the world of harmony and tolerance.

 

"As it was with Malaya, so it can be with Malaysia. With trust in Almighty God, unity of purpose and faith in ourselves, we can make Malaysia a land of prosperity and peace."

 

Fear factor

 

So it is disheartening to note that Umno members still need to be reminded that the nation comprises citizens of many faiths.

 

Party secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor revealed that the reminder was mentioned in a letter sent to Umno members who participated in a protest outside a church to demand the removal of its cross, a religious symbol integral to the Christian faith.

 

The letter read, "Please, whatever you're going to do, remember this is a multiracial country."

 

Since the 2008 general election, unscrupulous Umno politicians have upped the race and religion ante to perpetuate a siege mentality amongst the Malay/Muslim populace.

 

They are continuously drummed with the notion that their faith and race are under threat and this situation is somehow linked to the opposition, especially the predominantly Chinese DAP which has made significant political inroads in the last two national polls.

Malays who choose to join DAPs ranks are branded as traitors for being in cahoots with the Chinese minority to dismantle the so-called 'social contract'.

 

Put simply, it is a case of instilling the belief of 'us versus them'. It is hoped that this fear factor would translate into votes and help the ruling coalition roll back the gains made by the opposition.

 

But this comes at great peril for the nation and its future.

 

Long list of red herrings

 

How can Umno expect those at the grassroots level to remember the multiracial and multi-religious make-up of Malaysia when their leaders themselves propagate divisive sentiments?

 

The long list includes false claims which ranged from the Chinese torching the Quran to profiteering from immoral enterprises.

 

Lest we forget, right-wing movements linked to Umno such as Perkasa and Isma have also been spewing hatred on a regular basis without fear of retribution.

 

Since the possibility of defeat became painfully real for the ruling coalition, Umno has veered right and created a fictitious nemesis in the form of the Chinese, many of whom back the opposition, and all sorts of manic characters have crawled out of the woodwork to latch on to this to further their own agenda.

 

Holding true to the words of Joseph Goebbels ( photo ), they believe that if you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.

 

Following the church protest, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had reprimanded the protesters for resorting to an action that can cause uneasiness in a multiracial society.

 

If he is serious about this, he should instead instruct Tengku Adnan to send a copy of the reminder letter to everyone in Umno, from top to bottom.

                

 

RK ANAND is a member of the Malaysiakini team.