The Malaysian Insight

RACIAL and religious issues can be resolved later; Anwar Ibrahim administration must look at bread-and-butter issues now, political analysts have said.

They said Anwar needs to first deal with economic issues – such as domestic income and the spiralling cost of living – despite race and religion bubbling to the surface during the general election. 

Ilham Center executive director Hisommudin Bakar said that if Anwar’s government could tackle the cost-of-living issues, then resolving racial and religious sentiments would not be a problem.

“People will be angry if the economy is not resolved… the responsibility rests on Anwar’s shoulders to restore the economy and lift this burden from the people.

“Be assured, if that can be implemented, it will also appease the majority of groups who are focused on racial and religious issues. 

“If the economic issue is resolved, that will ease the sentiments of race and religion, because no matter what, it is a matter of putting food on their table,” Hisommudin told The Malaysian Insight.

Yesterday, Anwar chaired a special meeting of the national action council on cost of living, three days after being sworn in as prime minister.

Among those present at the meeting were Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali, Bank Negara Malaysia governor Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus and officers from the Department of Statistics, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, Finance Ministry, Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, and Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.

He said the council has been given two weeks to analyse the impact of subsidies to ensure they reach the targeted groups.

Anwar’s move to restore the council’s importance, according to Hisommudin, was the right move.

The council was previously chaired by Anwar’s wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail when she was deputy prime minister during Pakatan Harapan’s 22-month administration.

“The committee is very effective because it co-ordinates important ministries that are involved with matters pertaining to food and living, meaning it includes transport, health, utilities, and food expenditure,” he said. 

He said the council was the right platform for the new government to take care of the cost-of-living crisis.

If it can be addressed, Anwar will then need to focus on development of the nation, which, according to Hisommudin, was “somewhat affected” by a two-week election campaign laden with racial and religious issues. 

“Don’t let what was built by previous leaders during the 14-day campaign be destroyed,” he said. 

Hisommudin suggested Anwar similarly sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the opposition, as former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob did with PH previously.

“At least there is an offer to ease political tension. The MOU was one of the most critical measures in reducing the political temperature. 

“PH has to put forward the MOU offer quickly, otherwise it would create another movement,” he said. 

In addition, Hisommudin said, Anwar needs to resolve the situation of the divided electorate, as can be seen from the election results. 

“Malays support Perikatan Nasional (PN), non-Malays support PH,” he said.

Iman Research director Badrul Hisham Ismail urged Anwar to fulfil promises he made to the people.

“The Anwar-led government should implement its promises within a reasonable period of time, and it would be good if there was a reconciliation effort to restore relations between the races,” he said. 

Badrul warned that a few political parties will bring extreme narratives, which are becoming widespread and have gained traction. 

Badrul, who has a background in researching terrorism, said small and marginalised groups are capable of surfacing when political parties use extreme narratives. 

“That is worrying because most of the people are beginning to believe and follow such narratives,” he said. 

To deal with it, Badrul said mainstream parties should spread the narrative of peace in a pluralistic society, especially among the youth.

“Then they celebrate the diversity that exists in our country,” he said. 

He also hoped that all political parties will back efforts to improve race relations.

Political Identity 

Meanwhile, professor of social and intellectual history at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, Ahmad Murad Merican, said the results of the last election showed that voters tend to move towards political identities, which can be seen as a threat to any ruling government.

The said political identity does not necessarily focus on race alone but can also be formed based on group identity instead of individual rationality. 

“It is clear from the voters’ choice that we can see the highlighting of political identity, but this is not only happening in Malaysia, it is a normal thing, it also happens in western countries, especially in the United States. 

“The narrative that shows that Islam or Malays are challenged by Malay groups, and Chinese are challenged by Chinese groups is driven by group identity and not individual rationality,” Murad said. 

The group’s understanding, he said, was not based on information but on a common definition of an enemy. 

Murad said such beliefs are dangerous because they are based on emotions and are capable of inciting hatred towards others. 

“It is dangerous when decisions in politics are dominated by irrational elements, not based on knowledge and facts,” he said.

“We also do not inherit this partisan identity from our parents. This is emotional, and can lead to discrimination and hatred towards other groups.

“This nature can also lead to violent and militant extremism.” 

He said the mass media needs to play the role of educating the public, so that it does not continue to be trapped in that understanding. 

“The role of the media needs to be emphasised and why voters watch the media (traditional and social), not for facts and information.

“Voters choose the media and channels they are comfortable with. 

“Selective exposure and looking for a perspective that they agree with and believe in then reinforces attitudes and beliefs, the same as selective avoidance,” he added. – November 29, 2022.