Openness would act as restraint

We must cultivate a culture of openness and dialogue

The decision to stop the live telecast of the debate of the coming UMNO General Assembly is deeply regrettable. The reason given is that opinions and sentiments expressed by delegates at the assembly may be misinterpreted to cause uneasiness among other communities.

To my mind there should not be any issue that needs to be discussed in secret by members of any particular community. This would only be counter-productive to ethnic integration as it would only breed suspicion and hatred one another.Each community should be encouraged to air their grouses in a open and civil manner,bearing in mind the sensitivities of others.It is sad that after 50 years of independence we are still not able to accept each other as fellow citizens in our country.

Live debates,if moderated with restraint, would have positive effects in our multiracial country where ethnic relations are on the decline. It would act as a restrain on members from raising issues that would hurt the feelings of fellow citizens. Instead of educating our youth on the importance of tolerance and restraint, we would be doing a great disservice if we isolate them to discuss sensitive issues. This would only create fanaticism and intolerance to those alien to them.

This was clearly revealed at the last General Assembly when the debate was telecast live.It might have caused a lot of controversies but if the proceedings were not telecast live, it would not have received so much adverse reactions from the public and our leaders will never realize that race relations in the country is not that rosy as had been painted all these while.

Some of the delegates especially from the youth wing were oblivious to the likely ill effects that their statements could have on other communities. They were least bothered that what they utter at the meeting could deeply hurt the feelings of fellow Malaysians of other ethnicity. This is the result of a system that encourages living cocooned within their own community with little or no interaction with others.

Openness in the form of live telecast, could in fact restrain the delegates from uttering words and phrases that would be offensive to other races.Such live debates should be encouraged to cover not just UMNO but all political parties,including the opposition and even parliament and state assembly proceedings. What else can be a better restraint to our politicians than being aware that they are being watched by millions of fellow Malaysians?

Our leaders of all political parties must impress upon their members that the Federal Constitution guarantees the right of all the citizens and that all races are here to stay, in the land they consider as their motherland. Nobody is threatening to rob others of their rights as all they ask for is their own rights as enshrined in the federal constitution. We should not over-react to imaginary threats as that would only create chaos.

The increasing ethnic polarization is threatening the peace and harmony we used to enjoy and which was the envy of others.The only way out of our present predicament is open, rational and civil dialogue, bearing in mind the sensitivities, fears and anxiety of all the races. This may not be easy, and may take a long time, but with full commitment and the might of the government machinery we have a reasonable chance of achieving a certain degree success.

In the meantime, steps to educate the future generation should also be implemented now without any delay. Children from all races must be taught to understand and respect the sensitivities of other races. Free mingling of people of all races from young, freedom of expression and open dialogue in a civil manner must be actively encouraged as these would help instill tolerance towards others.

Our ethnic diversity is here to stay and in the long run only openness will act as a restraint on our words and deeds. Our diversity was the basis of our national strength. Whether we build on this diversity or destroy it, depends entirely on us and we alone can determine our destiny.

Dr.Chris Anthony