YOURSAY | Break free from 'tempurung mindset'

YOURSAY | 'Conservatism among majority race due to mixing religion with politics.'

KK Mart, political opportunism, and Malaysia's ‘dark time’

Seriously: I wish more leaders think like Professor Tajuddin Rasdi.

Sadly, with all that we can see now, this country is on its way to self-destruction. I have been a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim since his black-eye days, thinking he could make a difference somehow.

Yet, he turned out to be a disappointment. How will Malaysia get out of this conundrum?

It’s impossible because, for decades out of political expediency, our political establishments have conveniently used the non-Malays as a sacred tool to scare the Malays into toeing the line.

In the process, they have created a monster so big that there is no turning back.

The smart ones who can contribute to the economy and towards nation-building have left the country in droves and low-skill migrants now fill the vacuum they left behind.

The academic from UCSI University’s School of Architecture and Built Design aptly describes some people as having the “tempurung mindset”, people who act like cockroaches living under the coconut shell.

The harm our politicians have done to the people will take generations to reverse, if at all that is possible.

Apanama is back: The root cause of the problems facing our country now and in the future is conservatism among the majority race that is taking place due to mixing religion with politics.

If Malaysia had adhered to secularism since day one, we wouldn’t be in this “darkest moment” that Tajuddin refers to.

Malaysia is a good case study of what will happen and what it will become when society gradually moves towards the extreme right over the decades.

With demographic changes plus conservatism in our society, the future is bleak. Politicians will not stop mixing religion with politics in this country.

They will continue and may make it worse. Look at the present administration which emphasises the Islamisation agenda. The latest is Jakim’s 24-hour hotline.

Tajuddin is being kind when he mentions “somebody is weaponising the religion”.

It is the politicians on both sides of the divide who are weaponising religion.

Anwar is trying hard to outperform his mentor-turned-nemesis, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as well as his opponent, PAS.

There is no light at the end of the tunnel, folks. We need to live with this bleak future. Either you adapt or pack your bags.

BluePanther4725: Our politicians are still using race and religion as weapons to divide the people and rule the country.

They ensure that our education level remains low so that people, especially our youths, are unable to think for themselves and continue to believe in their lies.

We cannot rely on religious teachers alone to enlighten the Malays and Muslims.

Education is the key and if our youngsters cannot access quality education in our schools, they have to improve and broaden their minds by reading good books and learning from educational platforms.

We have to help ourselves.

Kilimanjaro: I agree with the professor - this country is beyond repair. Whenever and wherever religion is politicised, it will ruin the country.

While it may look good when Malays are pitted against non-Malays, eventually it will destroy the race from within. Non-Muslims cannot go on living in a hostile environment.

What is not being talked about is the trauma and psychological impact it has on non-Muslim children.

Lamborghini: A much-needed voice from a wise, open-minded, sensible, and courageous Muslim.

Thank you, Tajuddin, for sharing and speaking up without fear or favour. May your tribe and influence grow.

You are a breath of fresh air amid the toxic and narrow political climate created by opportunistic politicians and close-minded religious extremists.

Determined Sarawakian: Harith Iskander and Tajuddin, a comedian and an academic, discussed Islam, KK Mart, boycotts, and colourful characters.

They presented the most wonderful and delightful, yet authoritative knowledge on the simplicities of understanding of faith.

If we can have more of these discussions, perhaps on live YouTube podcasts, which will help guide believers and non-believers so that we can argue, debate, and discuss informally.

YellowDeer7605: Everyone can see the writing on the wall, except the Madani government. It cannot see or does not want to see it.

The situation can be salvaged but it requires lots of hard work. There must also be a willingness to cut off politicians and religious figures who mix politics with religion.

It then requires the right mix of communication channels to educate the masses - a slow process but a necessary one.

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