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OPINION | Are Malays Really Under Threat, or Are They Being Taught to Fear?
23 Jul 2026 • 3:00 PM MYT
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(Image credit: Utusan Malaysia)
Every few months, Malaysians are told that the Malays must be "saved."
This time, PAS president Hadi Awang speaks of forming a new political force to "save Malaysia" by uniting Malay Muslims, Bumiputera and non-Muslims who are "not extreme."
It sounds noble. It sounds urgent.
But before the Malays rally behind another call for salvation, perhaps they should ask the most important question of all - Saved from what?
Are the Malays under attack?
If we are speaking about poverty, then yes. Many Malays struggle. But so do Chinese families in low-cost flats, Indian labourers earning minimum wage, and indigenous communities without clean water or proper schools. Poverty has never checked one's race before deciding whom to visit.
If we are talking about unemployment, stagnant wages, the rising cost of living, or young people unable to afford homes, these are Malaysian problems - not uniquely Malay problems.
If we are talking about education, then every parent, regardless of race, worries about whether their children will inherit a better future.
So what exactly is this existential threat that demands political salvation?
The irony is that after decades of being the political majority, Malays continue to be told they are on the verge of losing everything.
How is it possible to possess political dominance for so long and yet remain perpetually endangered?
Perhaps because fear is politically useful.
A frightened community votes differently from a confident one.
Fear discourages questions.
Fear forgives failures.
Fear convinces people that survival matters more than accountability.
And nothing inspires fear more effectively than religion.
Once politics wraps itself in religious language, disagreement becomes dangerous. Criticism is mistaken for blasphemy. Political opponents become enemies of the faith rather than fellow citizens with different ideas.
The conversation changes.
Instead of asking, "Who can improve our schools?" we ask, "Who can protect Islam?"
Instead of asking, "Who can create better jobs?" we ask, "Who can defend Malay supremacy?"
The real issues quietly disappear behind emotionally powerful slogans.
This does not strengthen Malays. It weakens them.
Because a community that is constantly told to fear eventually loses confidence in itself.
The Malay civilisation that produced great kingdoms, scholars, sailors and traders did not become remarkable because it was frightened. It became remarkable because it was curious, open to knowledge, confident in its identity, and willing to engage with the world.
Faith should give believers courage. Not permanent anxiety.
Today, the greatest danger facing Malays is not that someone will erase their identity.
The Constitution protects Islam.
The monarchy protects Malay customs.
The Malays remain the demographic majority.
The Malay language is the national language.
None of these realities suggest a civilisation on the brink of extinction.
The greater danger is allowing yourselves to believe that your neighbours are the enemy.
That every election is the final battle.
That coexistence is surrender.
That questioning politicians is equivalent to questioning God.
When religion becomes a political shield, politicians become harder to hold accountable - not because they have performed well, but because criticism itself begins to feel forbidden.
That should concern every Muslim. And every Malaysian.
If Malays truly need saving, then save them from leaders who profit from fear.
Save them from believing that confidence comes from dominance rather than excellence.
Save them from thinking that every disagreement is an attack on Islam.
Most importantly, save them from politicians who repeatedly tell them they are weak, because the Malays are not weak - they never were.
This time, PAS president Hadi Awang speaks of forming a new political force to "save Malaysia" by uniting Malay Muslims, Bumiputera and non-Muslims who are "not extreme."
It sounds noble. It sounds urgent.
But before the Malays rally behind another call for salvation, perhaps they should ask the most important question of all - Saved from what?
Are the Malays under attack?
If we are speaking about poverty, then yes. Many Malays struggle. But so do Chinese families in low-cost flats, Indian labourers earning minimum wage, and indigenous communities without clean water or proper schools. Poverty has never checked one's race before deciding whom to visit.
If we are talking about unemployment, stagnant wages, the rising cost of living, or young people unable to afford homes, these are Malaysian problems - not uniquely Malay problems.
If we are talking about education, then every parent, regardless of race, worries about whether their children will inherit a better future.
So what exactly is this existential threat that demands political salvation?
The irony is that after decades of being the political majority, Malays continue to be told they are on the verge of losing everything.
How is it possible to possess political dominance for so long and yet remain perpetually endangered?
Perhaps because fear is politically useful.
A frightened community votes differently from a confident one.
Fear discourages questions.
Fear forgives failures.
Fear convinces people that survival matters more than accountability.
And nothing inspires fear more effectively than religion.
Once politics wraps itself in religious language, disagreement becomes dangerous. Criticism is mistaken for blasphemy. Political opponents become enemies of the faith rather than fellow citizens with different ideas.
The conversation changes.
Instead of asking, "Who can improve our schools?" we ask, "Who can protect Islam?"
Instead of asking, "Who can create better jobs?" we ask, "Who can defend Malay supremacy?"
The real issues quietly disappear behind emotionally powerful slogans.
This does not strengthen Malays. It weakens them.
Because a community that is constantly told to fear eventually loses confidence in itself.
The Malay civilisation that produced great kingdoms, scholars, sailors and traders did not become remarkable because it was frightened. It became remarkable because it was curious, open to knowledge, confident in its identity, and willing to engage with the world.
Faith should give believers courage. Not permanent anxiety.
Today, the greatest danger facing Malays is not that someone will erase their identity.
The Constitution protects Islam.
The monarchy protects Malay customs.
The Malays remain the demographic majority.
The Malay language is the national language.
None of these realities suggest a civilisation on the brink of extinction.
The greater danger is allowing yourselves to believe that your neighbours are the enemy.
That every election is the final battle.
That coexistence is surrender.
That questioning politicians is equivalent to questioning God.
When religion becomes a political shield, politicians become harder to hold accountable - not because they have performed well, but because criticism itself begins to feel forbidden.
That should concern every Muslim. And every Malaysian.
If Malays truly need saving, then save them from leaders who profit from fear.
Save them from believing that confidence comes from dominance rather than excellence.
Save them from thinking that every disagreement is an attack on Islam.
Most importantly, save them from politicians who repeatedly tell them they are weak, because the Malays are not weak - they never were.
***
He takes over Tun's job 😂😂😂
BBC
