YOURSAY | ‘This is no longer about Icerd, but a show of political strength by Umno and PAS.’

Suhakam rues gov't influenced by 'pressure tactics', 'extremism'

TehTarik: Today is a day of ignominy for Malaysia. Celebrating extremism triumphs over celebrating human rights. A day when racial and religious bigotry triumphs over equality, justice and freedom.

It appears that the authorities favour a rally that celebrates intolerance, hatred and zealotry over one that rejoices love, tolerance and justice.

This is a big victory for PAS and Umno, and an own goal by Pakatan Harapan. What kind of message are we sending the younger generation?

Gerard Lourdesamy: Why are the government and police surrendering to a bunch of extremists and religious fanatics?

This group does not represent the entire Malay population in the country.

Why did the police approve the demonstration against the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) given the security risks and concerns?

It is no longer about Icerd but a show of political strength by two parties that no longer have power, credibility and integrity but who want to stay relevant among Malay/Muslim voters despite being mired in corruption scandals, including those that impact directly on the Malays/Muslims like Felda, Felcra, Mara and Tabung Haji.

The government should stop allowing the Malay agenda and Islam to be hijacked by a group of self-serving peddlers of hate, animosity and suspicion.

What is the point of having a plethora of security laws when the government and the police are so afraid of using them against the misguided in Umno, PAS, Malay NGO coalition Gerakan Pembela Ummah and Malay rights group Perkasa who are hell-bent on destroying the country for political gain?

Vent: While I don't commend the police for allowing the anti-Icerd rally to take place and disallowing the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to hold their event, I believe it is better to be safe than sorry. One never knows if there might be agent provocateurs planted at Suhakam's event.

And quite frankly, I don't think the police are adept at putting out all the fires if they are triggered at both places simultaneously. After their poor showing at the Seafield temple fracas, it will only lead to endless charges without proper leads.

There are two clear messages here, though. The Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) is long overdue, and heads in the police force must roll for not acting without fear or favour in the interests of all citizens.

Malay supremacy has won the day again, bolstered by estimates that the majority of Malays don't support Harapan.

Until that happens, even PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be privately relieved to accede to a pretext like this, while the majority of the Malay MPs will be either relieved or cheer in private and the non-Malay MPs are rendered mute and defenceless.

This is Malaysian realpolitik. It's not going to change anytime soon. Meanwhile, MCA is guffawing at DAP. Even MIC can manage a snigger.

Goodbye, Malaysia Baru.

Quigonbond: I think we are walking into a grey area. It depends on which political strategy wins out in the end.

Umno/PAS does not really have a choice. They have to shout and scream race (specifically Malay, no longer bumiputera), and religion to stay relevant, have a possible political comeback, and possibly stop prosecutions or further prosecutions against some of them.

But the government has a full set of options before them. Not antagonising these extremists may show weakness and potential for further exploitation of the weakness.

On the other hand, evidence that extremism and provocation are alive and well continues to pile up, making the case for security laws to be refined to address racial and religious provocations.

It's also bad politics for Umno/PAS, making them the bogeyman the same way Mahathir made PAS the bogeyman in the past.

They will drive away moderate-thinking Malay-Muslims who are all too conscious that these politicians only wear race and religion on their sleeves and not their hearts, because 60 years of screaming race and religion did not free many rural Malays from the shackles of poverty.

And it is not a case of incompetence (maybe PAS, but certainly not all of Umno), rather it was a case of greed, that their upliftment policies have failed spectacularly.

Moderate-thinking Malays can clearly see that these are false activists. Once the criminal prosecutions lead to convictions, more rural folks will start seeing it this way too.

Hence, Harapan could be relying on attrition and just let Umno/PAS run out of steam and exhaust themselves. Umno/PAS' angst about Harapan being too liberal et cetera only has a short shelf life, so there is no desperation, no need, to challenge them now.

Honestly, I don't know if this strategy will work or actually embolden them, but we will see.

Rupert16: It is a big mistake for the government to succumb to extremists. It will have longer-term repercussions.

We chose a government that believed in the rule of law, but when push comes to shove, this government gave in to people who don’t believe in the rule of law.

Lord Denning: It is clear that the Umno-PAS axis is under severe pressure to detract from the kleptocratic misdeeds of some of their leaders who are heading to serve time in prison, and need to create some unrest to save their skins and engineer an escape route.

Even the blatant thievery at Tabung Haji and Felda has not provided enough proof to the very people that have been affected by the sheer misfeasance committed.

6th Generation Immigrant: One small step by the police (in pressuring Suhakam to postpone their event) is a giant leap for criminal provocateurs, extremism, fanaticism and bigotry.

Welcome to "Malaysia, truly dementia".

Headhunter: True, the government is pandering to the extremists. You move back one foot and they move forward one foot. This will go on until you have your back to the wall. By then, the extremists will declare victory.

I’m totally disappointed. We need a new home minister and a new IGP.

Newday: Suhakam, a great pity indeed. With some good promotion, maybe we can garner similar support for this basic event on human rights, like Bersih rallies of the past.

My thoughts are with all right-thinking, morally-upstanding citizens who do know and understand the difference between right and wrong. This is a concept that the ‘Rally for Nothing’ people seem to have no desire to understand.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.