Dr M's shallow understanding of the right to freedom of expression and the right to assembly

I suppose a leopard can’t change its spots. Our Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad’s shallow understanding of the right to freedom of expression and the right to assembly has revealed itself once again.

There will never be a ‘right time’ or ‘right place’ to protest for those who stand to lose something from the unified defiance of others. A protest is not meant to be a comfortable conversation over coffee or tea. If it were, it would be called a ‘dialogue session’ or forum where many empty words are said and there is a lack of incentive or motivation to do anything further. In other words, it would be a thinly-veiled political attempt at appeasing unhappy groups so that the very social pressure needed to bring about the change that they seek can be diluted and controlled to the benefit of those in power.

A protest is meant to be uncomfortable. It is meant to be in your face. If we are being honest, Wong Yan Ke’s protest would be objected to regardless of its timing. The fact that it was done at the convocation became an excuse for the University’s subsequent objection. Ironically enough, the objection resulted in more attention being brought onto the protest itself, demonstrating the Streisand effect.

However, let’s try not get distracted from the main issue. The conversation has conveniently shifted from the main purpose of Wong Yan Ke’s protest (the resignation of UM’s Vice Chancellor after his allegedly racist remarks at a pro-Malay Conference) to one concerning freedom of expression and the right to assemble. While the latter issue is an issue that must be addressed, there seems to be a lack of political comment on the former issue (the one concerning racial tensions in Malaysia). This interestingly enough, shows the preference of non-Malays to shy away from racial issues and opt to comment instead on what many may deem to be a ‘safer’ one (freedom of expression).

I believe that we, non-Malays cannot choose to shy away from commenting on these racial issues any longer. Perhaps our lack of commentary on these issues is driven by our hope that the issue would blow over and die down in a couple of weeks to be buried and forgotten. Maybe we feel it is better that the Malays sort out their feelings amongst themselves and perhaps if we just keep quiet and hope for the best, things will sort themselves out.

While such an approach may have worked in the past, the issue seems to be cropping up more often now to the point that it has become the norm rather than the exception. It would be no surprise if another racial incident were to happen again in the next few weeks or days.

Worryingly enough, it seems that every time such an event happens, the group of people that pose a danger to the very concept of tolerance and diversity in Malaysia gain a small victory. The bitter truth is that their victory is enabled by our continued silence and with each victory, we are lead further down a dangerous path.

The non-Malays must stand up for themselves and shed whatever notion that has been taught to them that silence is a guarantor of peace. Even if it were so, conflict is necessary for change and as history has shown before, silence is merely a free ticket for those that seek to oppress. Shying away from these 'difficult issues' is no longer an option.

It is with that context in mind that bold individual actions such as Wong Yan Ke’s ought to be celebrated. It is a reminder that the individual can indeed make a difference and spark the necessary conversation. While I understand that many of my Non-Malay friends have become numb due to the same repeated attempts to paint us as the villains of a political narrative designed to reap benefit from the widening racial and religious divide in our society, we must continue to speak out and our right to do so must be defended at all cost.

As such, I stand in solidarity with Wong Yan Ke and hope that his actions are only the beginning of a movement by the minorities in Malaysia to pushback against the growing hate and racism in our country.

-First published on Facebook