At a time when the world is facing growing geopolitical uncertainty, economic disruption and rising global tensions, it is deeply worrying that some politicians in Malaysia continue to rely on the old politics of race, fear and division. The rivalry between the United States and China is reshaping global trade and investment. Wars and conflicts continue affecting global food and energy prices. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming industries and jobs, while economic nationalism is rising across the world. Small and developing nations like Malaysia are under tremendous pressure to remain competitive, stable and united. These are the real challenges threatening our nation’s future.
Yet instead of preparing Malaysians to face these challenges together as one people, we continue hearing political narratives built upon communal insecurity and fear. Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi spoke about “Malay unease” and concerns over weakening Malay political and economic influence. Our opposition leaders continue relying on fear based narratives because they have little else meaningful to offer the rakyat . Former MCA President Tan Sri Chua Soi Lek meanwhile warned Chinese voters against allowing DAP to become “too dominant”. Former Minister P. Waytha Moorthy has also repeatedly highlighted concerns over the continued marginalisation of the Indian community in areas involving economic opportunities, education, employment and social development. Our opposition leaders continue relying on fear based narratives because they have little else meaningful to offer the rakyat
The reality is that almost every political side today is increasingly playing upon the anxieties of their own communities in order to portray themselves as the “protectors” of their respective races.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬: 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
If Malays are taught to fear losing power, Chinese are taught to fear political domination, and Indians continue feeling sidelined, eventually every community will begin seeing one another not as fellow Malaysians, but as threats. History has repeatedly shown that nations do not collapse only because of external enemies. Yugoslavia descended into violent ethnic conflict after years of racial nationalism. Sectarian politics paralysed Lebanon for decades, while Sri Lanka suffered prolonged national trauma after ethnic tensions escalated into destructive conflict. Even developed countries today are facing increasing instability because societies have become deeply divided and polarised.
A nation divided internally becomes economically weaker, politically more fragile and more vulnerable to external threats. Investors lose confidence, talented citizens leave the country and national energy becomes consumed by identity conflicts instead of development and progress. Meanwhile, other countries are racing ahead in technology, artificial intelligence, green economy, education and global competitiveness. Malaysia cannot afford to remain trapped in divisive politics while the rest of the world moves forward. Our young people today are not merely competing among themselves locally. They are competing with China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and the entire global economy.
At this critical moment, political leaders should focus on building national confidence, strengthening unity and preparing Malaysians for the future instead of continuously amplifying fear and insecurity. Malaysia’s diversity should be our strategic strength, not a political weapon used endlessly for short term survival. If race based fear politics continues to dominate national discourse, eventually everyone will lose. Because the reality is simple: a divided Malaysia will never be able to compete in an increasingly challenging and competitive world.
Politics of fear may win elections, but it can destroy the nation.
𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥,
𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢 𝐊𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐚𝐭
– MalayaDailyToday
