R Nadeswaran
Published: Sep 3, 2025 1:53 PM
Updated: 3:55 PM
COMMENT | In his message on the eve of Merdeka Day, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim lamented how racial rhetoric has been weaponised to sideline Putrajaya’s efforts at bettering the people’s welfare.
“Every time there is an appointment, every time there is a new initiative, every time there is a new bill, racial issues are raised,” he said.
The problem has “graduated” from innocent racial slurs in banter to full-blown religious zealotry. It is the oldest play in the book. Politicians have long stoked division with racist and religious diatribes.
Anwar’s speech changes nothing. The public hears a warning and asks: What are the consequences?
In an immediate response, I noted: “While Anwar’s remarks are welcome, they echo the longstanding concerns of civil society leaders and academics. The public is left wondering: when will words be matched with action?
Published: Sep 3, 2025 1:53 PM
Updated: 3:55 PM
COMMENT | In his message on the eve of Merdeka Day, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim lamented how racial rhetoric has been weaponised to sideline Putrajaya’s efforts at bettering the people’s welfare.
“Every time there is an appointment, every time there is a new initiative, every time there is a new bill, racial issues are raised,” he said.
The problem has “graduated” from innocent racial slurs in banter to full-blown religious zealotry. It is the oldest play in the book. Politicians have long stoked division with racist and religious diatribes.
Anwar’s speech changes nothing. The public hears a warning and asks: What are the consequences?
In an immediate response, I noted: “While Anwar’s remarks are welcome, they echo the longstanding concerns of civil society leaders and academics. The public is left wondering: when will words be matched with action?
“The central failure of successive governments, including the current one, is the glaring lack of uniform law enforcement. This is not a perception but a documented reality of selective prosecution.”
The ink had hardly dried
The fact that such words ring hollow for Malaysians need not be reiterated, as they are a repetition of previous cautions - warning, stern warning, and final warning.
Hardly had the proverbial ink dried on the paper on which Anwar’s disappointment was written, a Facebook post signified that Anwar’s warning was either not to be heeded or that the law does not apply to some individuals (read politicians).
At a Merdeka Day parade in Ipoh, a woman stormed past security officials towards Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah on stage.
Yes, there was a security breach, but as Anwar rightly pointed out, some politicians see everything through blinkered, racial eyes and would not miss the opportunity to prove that they ought to defend their race and religion.
For good measure, the phrase “maruah Melayu” (Malay dignity) would be thrown in to complete the one-upmanship, especially in the eyes of their kinsmen.
Manjoi assemblyperson and Perak PAS Youth chief Hafez Sabri was no different. He was quick on the draw, falsely claiming on Facebook that the suspect who was arrested was Chinese. Screenshots of the post went viral immediately before he took it down.
Offering an apology, he wrote that at the time of the incident, he had received initial information that the “attack” was carried out by a Chinese woman.
Hafez Sabri
“However, after just a few minutes of posting, I discovered that the initial source I had obtained was inaccurate, and I corrected my original post as soon as possible, no more than a few minutes after the initial posting,” he wrote on Facebook.
As if declaring his innocence or seeking exoneration, Hafez filed a police report at Tambun Police Station, Ipoh, Perak.
“I am happy to be able to enlighten all the people about what really happened, and I believe that my beloved community members can evaluate and view my explanation with an open heart.
“I also apologise for my mistakes in this issue, as a human being, I am not immune to mistakes,” but he declared he was not aware that his post was racist.
A test for Anwar
But why did he post something without verification? Does an apology mean that his actions can be summarily dismissed?
His apology will only be a mitigating factor. Period. It is not a shortcut to a discharge. Or is it the first step, trying his luck in planning to write to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for just an admonishment, followed by the withdrawal of charges, if any?
Yesterday, MCMC recorded a statement from Hafez over a “false and racially charged” social media post, but what happens after that?
“However, after just a few minutes of posting, I discovered that the initial source I had obtained was inaccurate, and I corrected my original post as soon as possible, no more than a few minutes after the initial posting,” he wrote on Facebook.
As if declaring his innocence or seeking exoneration, Hafez filed a police report at Tambun Police Station, Ipoh, Perak.
“I am happy to be able to enlighten all the people about what really happened, and I believe that my beloved community members can evaluate and view my explanation with an open heart.
“I also apologise for my mistakes in this issue, as a human being, I am not immune to mistakes,” but he declared he was not aware that his post was racist.
A test for Anwar
But why did he post something without verification? Does an apology mean that his actions can be summarily dismissed?
His apology will only be a mitigating factor. Period. It is not a shortcut to a discharge. Or is it the first step, trying his luck in planning to write to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for just an admonishment, followed by the withdrawal of charges, if any?
Yesterday, MCMC recorded a statement from Hafez over a “false and racially charged” social media post, but what happens after that?
We have heard of “statements being taken,” but nothing happened after that. Will it be the same, or will it be a “lack of evidence”?
But Anwar’s mettle and courage in publicly calling out people who use the race card will undergo a severe test - if he can match his words with action.
Will the agencies tasked to enforce the law act without fear or favour?
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who tries to live up to the ethos of civil rights leader John Lewis: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com
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