THE campaigns for the six state elections haven’t even begun officially, yet the air is already choking with toxic political drivel.
The arrest of Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor may result in sympathy for him and Perikatan Nasional, but the message has been strongly delivered to everyone.
If anyone pushes the limit, they will be arrested and charged in court.
On June 18, when the Sultan of Selangor announced the dissolution of the Selangor State Assembly at the Balai Dewan Diraja of Istana Alam Shah, he provided a reminder – don’t wield the race and religion cards and play up other sensitive issues.
The police have also repeatedly issued the same reminder, but as expected, these directives have fallen on deaf ears.
In fact, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil was criticised when he warned of the consequences for posting such messages on social media.
He had strongly urged all parties to refrain from spreading rumours about racial, religious sensitivities and royalty during the state polls.
Whatever the political fallout from the caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar’s arrest, it’s more important that the police have taken strong action against those who’ve challenged the law.
Over the past few months, Malaysians have noted with concern, if not alarm, how politicians have used race and religion to stir controversy on the sentiments of the predominantly Malay voters.
The narrative has been about the rights of the Malays and the sanctity of Islam as the official religion being challenged and threatened.
The perception that this strategy has worked seems to encourage these politicians to push the boundaries even harder.
To them, it’s the end that justifies the means, and that amounts to winning the elections at all costs.
The Rulers have been dragged in as heads of Islam in their respective states. They have watched with uneasiness how certain politicians have used religion for political expediency.
The brazenness of some politicians in daring to question the decision of the Royalty has also taken root.
In March, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang defied a ban on politicians delivering religious lectures in mosques and suraus by speaking at Masjid Rusila in Marang, Terengganu.
Terengganu Ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin had expressed disappointment in his ban being ignored, stating he “was upset” about some politicians delivering religious lectures or leading Friday prayers without the approval of the state Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Maidam).
The open rebuff by Hadi didn’t go down well with the Rulers, as some felt this was defiance of the royal institution. Basically, the red line had been crossed.
As early as February, the Sultan of Johor urged his people to reject any form of extremism that could jeopardise the long-established harmony in the state, adding that “Johor is out of bounds for politicians and bigoted religious leaders who are out to break the bonds of unity and solidarity among the different races in the state.”
Thus, when Sanusi pushed the envelope when speaking at a ceramah in Selayang, Selangor, he got caught. He apologised to the Sultan of Selangor for his remarks, but it was rejected.
The significance of this incident is that a report was made by members of the Selangor Council of the Royal Court.
The arrest of Sanusi, who is a popular politician, has expectedly stirred a lot of emotions.
Highly seditious comments against the Selangor palace have been posted by his supporters.
It’s almost certain that they can expect the police to knock on their doors for their “musings” on social media, which are clearly aimed at inciting social unrest.
In the age of social media, where information and opinions fly fast and furiously, our authorities, including the police, need to react swiftly to explain their actions.
Sanusi’s arrest at 3am has been regarded as excessive by many. Unfortunately, the police didn’t issue any official statement to explain their actions until late afternoon.
They should have released a statement as early as 8am when Malaysians woke up and read about the arrest. The police may not care about the political implications, but surely this would protect and justify their actions.
They should also not give the impression that certain personalities – who have also raised polarising issues on race and religion – are untouchables and spared from the law.
The age or position of these errant figures, whether religious or political, shouldn’t be a consideration either.
The arrest of Sanusi will invariably cool down the political temperature. Politicians who sometimes get carried away when speaking at ceramah will now restrain themselves as they know they’re being watched.
Given the intensity of the next two weeks of campaigning, the police should call the top leaders of the respective parties for a meeting to remind them of the consequences of snubbing their directives.
Alarmist messages of temples being demolished if a certain party comes to power or that Malaysia is teetering on the edge of another round of May 13 riots, are unnecessary and out of place.
The politics of fear must end, regardless of our political allegiance. It serves no purpose except to cause uneasiness and anxiety among the people.
Let cool heads prevail over the next two weeks. Ahead of the National and Malaysia Day, politicians must be reminded that this country belongs to all of us.
Malaysians, especially the minorities, must be made to feel that they have a place in this country. No one should feel insecure and have any doubt about their future in Malaysia.
The country deserves to have politicians who build bridges for our multiracial communities, and not those who strive to divide us and instil fear and hatred.
