Racial profiling must stop

MALAY stereotyping and bashing must stop – or demeaning any other racial-ethnic group for that matter. Derogatory comments about any group should not be made if Malaysians are really serious about national unity.

We repeatedly stress the importance of interracial integration and harmony and reaffirm that they are necessary for the country to become a truly progressive nation. Why then is one group, the Malays, being singled out and decried repeatedly?

Lately, the Malays are being slapped with an array of unsavoury descriptions including the colonial-inspired “The Malays are a lazy people”. Then there are more current labels such as “unproductive”, “corrupt”, “dishonest” and “parasites”. An interesting point is that these words are being uttered by Malays themselves. A disconcerting outcome is that the other ethnic groups are listening and nodding in agreement.

Malay derision is gaining ground as the media publish reports and writings, and post videos which individuals pick up and make viral on social media. From that ensues a blubbering of comments, many given without considering that they are hurtful and unfair. While Malaysians seem civil and polite towards one another on the surface, deep dislike and prejudice are becoming more obvious in the remarks being made on social media.

This verbal persecution of a community and people is unprecedented in a country that professes to be multiracial and multi-ethnic. When it is sanctioned by people at the top and in high places, it contradicts the national aspirations they inspire. On the one hand, they urge the rakyat to forge national integration and unity but on the other, they have no qualms about singling out the Malays to demean.

The rationale behind the continuous negative assessment amounting to outright condemnation of a people is that it will jolt them into changing for the better. That is, if you continue to remind the Malays they are lazy and unproductive, they will become hard-working. If you say they are dishonest and corrupt, they will stop their immoral and unethical conduct and behaviour.

A socio-anthropological explanation is that the socially disadvantaged and economically backward are inclined to admit their failings and failures more than those who have achieved success.

Psychologically, people with low levels of achievement would have low self-esteem, making them easy targets for the more powerful to inspire or exploit. It is as if the Malays are being fleeced of their socio-cultural attributes and their psyche laid bare for the promised prosperity and greatness ahead.

Is this why in Malaysia we see the Malays themselves demeaning one another while the other races watch with great interest, albeit tight-lipped about their own negative traits and idiosyncrasies?

By all means, single out particular groups of Malays to berate. However, it is unfair to berate the Malays as a whole. The repeated condemnation does not go down well with the majority of Malays who lead clean and honest lives, and work hard to earn a living.

Those of us with conscience and a sense of shame (segan and malu), integrity and uprightness (amanah and suci) do not commit the abhorrent deeds the crooks and criminals of all races are guilty of.

No, it is not the Malays alone who are corrupt and dishonest. The vicious cycle of corruption perpetuated in this country involves every person out to make a quick buck or bundles of money. Some are sneakier than others and conceal their corrupt practices by keeping a low profile. Some are naïve and get caught showing off their expensive possessions and cars.

Racial and ethnic profiling must stop. Movers and shakers of society must show exemplary behaviour and provide constructive ideas, not destructive attacks. Tell the Malays to focus on educating themselves and their families. Tell them to gather information and knowledge to improve their skills. Inspire them to be efficient and effective communicators to detect the untoward intentions of others and speak up. Tell them to be alert and aware that they owe it to themselves to do the best they can socially and culturally, ethically and economically. And tell the other races to do these things too.

DATUK HALIMAH MOHD SAID

President

Association of Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason (PCORE)