How can we talk about race sensibly?

Tun Dr Mahathir, the former PM, has recently become a blogger. And what is his 2nd piece of article? He opines that in a multi-racial country, you need a strong (read: strong-handed) government to keep the peace.

That is such an outdated BN model. Here's what BN used to say (before the last elections): We are a multi-racial country; We can explode into riots anytime; Leave everything to us (your leaders) to talk behind closed doors; You shut up and mind your own business.

Well, the last elections showed us that we Malaysians do not want to shut up and mind our own business. We want to mind our collective businesses as a nation, and that includes participation in an effective manner in the administration of our country. We are no longer content to allow our leaders to speak behind closed doors (especially since UMNO's voice is always shouted out publicly, whilst it is anti-UMNO voices that must go behind closed doors).

In the new reality that faces us as a nation, how can we talk about race sensibly? One possible avenue would be the Parliament, of course. With more than 1/3 opposition members in Parliament for the first time in 5 decades, there is now an opportunity for race relations to be discussed, by our leaders (as advocated by BN), in Parliament, provided the BN representatives opt to discuss rationally.

(Note: When Lim Kit Siang tried to raise the article "Let's send Altantuya's murderers to hell" in Parliament, he was heckled primarily on the basis that heaven and hell is Allah's domain not to be discussed! Considering that the BN reps were well-educated and not simpletons, clearly they were merely attempting to divert the issue)

Then there is the alternative media (as well as the mainstream media, once in a while). Columnists and bloggers can discuss to a certain extent our race relations, relying on the new-found albeit fragile freedom thanks to the 12th elections.

And finally, there is the informal avenue in the context of our own relationships. Sometimes, those who shout the loudest about race relations in fact do not have many friends from other races. I guess cultivating friendships with all races would do as a good start.

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Kheng Hoe is excited as a mediator living in Malaysia, where cultures and faiths collide.