It is obvious that certain parties are using the ICERD to whip up ethno-religious support for their defeated parties. At the same time, the insecurities felt by many among the B40 are all too real and this has to be addressed; otherwise their fears of being left behind are likely to be easily manipulated by unscrupulous politicians.
I wouldn’t say that this is the end of the new Malaysia. It is just that the government will have to be more astute in how it proceeds, plan carefully, raise awareness, eliminate insecurities and then move forward. The new Malaysia is a work in progress, and we all have a hand in it.
Aliran has just released the following statement: