COMMENT | What’s wrong if Tiong eats pork, drinks alcohol?

COMMENT | Let me be clear about one thing. I am defending Tiong King Sing here, not because he is a fellow Sarawakian, but because I honestly think he is not in the wrong in this latest controversy.

The allegations against the tourism, arts, and culture minister in this recent case were unfair and malicious, in my opinion at least. I believe that supporting those in the right helps ensure that justice prevails and defending them means standing up for moral and ethical principles. Hence, Tiong should be defended.

I am also speaking up for the minister because I agree with him that this latest issue borders on racial hate – an unpleasant, uncomfortable subject that we should actually avoid at all costs in our arguments/debates over our fundamental differences.

Unfortunately, there are extremists in our midst who have no qualms about raising the subject, highlighting our differences, and exerting their superiority over others. What is most sad is that they could be arousing racial hate at the behest of political masters.

Indeed, the many debates over race and religion of late and the rising temperature and tension among Malaysians involved is a matter of regret and not something we can be proud of.

At times, I also feel that we must be earnest and daring enough to...