KUALA LUMPUR – Amid escalating racial tensions across the country, young voices are advocating for a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures and religions as a cornerstone for fostering racial harmony.
Speaking with Scoop, these young advocates underscored the necessity of cultural and religious empathy, citing recent controversies such as the “Allah”-printed socks sold in KK Mart as incidents that are avoidable if there was a greater sensitivity to Muslim beliefs.
Chin Kuin Hou, a 20-year-old student at Asia Pacific University, stressed the importance of mutual cultural understanding in averting future racial conflicts.
“The KK Mart incident highlights a lack of comprehension regarding the significance of certain symbols for different communities. Sensitivity and respect can prevent such misunderstandings,” remarked the computer science student.
Chin also voiced concerns about the politicisation of such controversies, warning that exploiting religious matters for personal gain only deepens divisions among Malaysians.
“As tensions rise, the intervention by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim underscores the need for all parties to cease exploiting sensitive issues for personal agendas,” Chin added.
Amid the racial tensions, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim stepped in and emphasised that all parties should stop taking advantage of the situation.
He remarked that it is better for people to learn from the incident and strive to further strengthen unity.
Last week, fashion company Vern’s faced backlash over a shoe sole design resembling the word “Allah” in Arabic script, sparking controversy over religious sensitivities.
Another incident involved a green floor mat featuring the outline of the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site, sold at a supermarket in Batu Pahat, leading to tensions before a clarification was issued by the product supplier.
Since the KK Mart incident, there have been three reported cases of molotov cocktails being thrown at their store branches in Bidor, Kuantan, and Kuching.
In response to these incidents, Kamal Mohd Amir, a 21-year-old student from UniKL, urged fellow Malay Muslims to respond to religious issues with reason and composure.
“Rather than resorting to aggression, we should engage in constructive dialogue to explain the significance of certain matters. This proactive approach can prevent similar misunderstandings in the future,” Kamal said.
Echoing this sentiment, Dash Zwyn, a 19-year-old student at Kolej Yayasan UEM, highlighted the prevalence of racial tension even among young people, both in schools and universities.
“Segregation based on race is evident from a young age, and if left unaddressed, it threatens to perpetuate tension between different racial groups in Malaysia,” Dash observed.
Darmendran Subramaniam, 22, suggested that Malaysia’s education system should promote cross-cultural understanding from an early age to mitigate racial tensions among children.
“In urban areas, particularly, there’s a noticeable lack of interaction between people of different races. Education plays a vital role in fostering mutual respect and understanding,” Darmendran noted.
Muhammad Imtiyaz Mohd Adam, a 22-year-old UiTM Jasin student, called for the abolition of vernacular schools, arguing that they hinder social integration among Malaysian children.
“Vernacular schools create barriers to interaction between children of different races, leading to misunderstandings in the long run,” Muhammad said.
However, Prathiek Rethnakumat, a 21-year-old student at UniKL, proposed a more inclusive approach to address racial tensions in schools.
“Rather than abolishing vernacular schools, we should promote inclusivity and cultural exchange among students. This can foster mutual respect and understanding,” Prathiek suggested.
In a recent statement, Collin Swee, co-founder of local social enterprise Projek57, urged Malaysians to rise above divisive influences and work towards unity.
Commenting on the “Maaf Zahir Batin 365 (#MZB365)” campaign recently launched by civil society groups, Swee said it was a timely initiative.
He said there had been numerous negative influences and “noises” stemming from individuals with ill intentions and personal agendas. These influences have led to significant hurt and mistrust among different races and faiths. – April 15, 2024