AS the country enters into a deep recession left by Covid-19 its impacts and experiences are being shared in real time, the print media and online.
Generally the responses to what may be the darkest black swan happening in our generation have been reassuring and good. More than good in many instances. The fortitude of the frontliners especially those working in hospitals and clinics treating the infected is inspiring. Also the reaction of second rank frontliners engaged in essential services of law and order, public utilities and not to forget, garbage disposal; food delivery drivers and the grocery checkout staff patiently attending to the long queues and huge piles of purchases. They provide comfort that our social order even at the lower level remains intact and resilient.
The Malaysian public by and large deserves credit. The great majority have been stoic, patient and responsible. The movement control order, social distancing, stay at home and other advisories have been impressively observed. Not so prevalent is the push your way, jump the queue, me first syndrome that has been part of our urban landscape. Still visible though is some of the racially toxic messages that have inhabited WhatsApp and other social media.
How long can this new discipline and sense of community continue when the economic situation worsens – as it will? Perhaps not too long. So for now, let’s enjoy the new Malaysia in this crisis and work towards forging a greater unity and social cohesion.
The bad
Meanwhile there will always be those playing racial and religious politics to undermine our new solidarity. In a recent tweet Khalid Samad, the Amanah leader drew attention to the action of Perlis mufti, Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin, who posted a critique in his official Instagram of a woman arrested for yelling at the police in what was obviously an isolated and non-race related incident. According to Khalid, Asri’s response – “Wajarkah Malaysia menyimpan rakyat yang sebegini” – suggested that the country should not be accepting of such people and implied that she be stripped of her nationality.
“ ... (He) should be looking to fix (ethnic relations) ... ,” Khalid posted on Twitter.
Asri should respond to Khalid’s tweet as well as to comments posted by his followers in response to his post. He should elaborate on his comment to share with the millions of citizens who are against his version of the Islamic state and values.
Here’s a reminder to Asri and others. What we don’t need is a racialisation of the pandemic or instigatory comments in response to any incident.
The ugly
Perhaps not bad but plainly ugly are the politicians who have plastered their faces and names on the packages of relief goods distributed to assist hard hit communities. While not doubting their sincerity or good intention why it seems necessary to stoop so low to publicise these acts defies understanding. Clearly they – or their staff – should have anticipated that their portraits on food packages will invite public derision and worse.
The few defenders of this practice have argued that the donor using personal funds has the right to promote himself or herself. That may sound logical. However, ethical concerns need to override logic in this and similar cases. Political logic will always push politicians to polish their image and engage in self-promotion or self-aggrandising activities. But ethical principles relating to right or wrong conduct should not be pushed aside or ignored in any situation and circumstance. If condoned, such acts of promotion will leave Malaysians even more cynical in their belief that Malaysian politics is simply the conduct of public affairs for private and personal interest and advantage.
The good
Working with little publicity, limited resources, without the backing of government or corporate sponsors, names of established charities and lacking the brazen gall to post a poolside image to immortalise a minor contribution towards Covid-19 relief is a myriad of grassroots and local groups. These mostly multiracial, small, horizontally structured and non-bureaucratic bodies with rapid response capabilities have sprung up to do their bit of meal providing, facemask making, personal protective suits stitching, and contribute in other modest ways to help in these troubled times.
Here is a list of some commendable ones suggested by friends which readers of the column may want to support.
Projek wawasan rakyat at www.rakyat.org
#makankongsi by Bersih and Engage with 10 NGO partners in various states
bit.ly/MakanKongsi
bit.ly/foodaidOA
Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia or through its state networks
Pertubuhan kesihatan dan kebajikan umum Malaysia
KAMY at www.kli maatactionmalaysia.org
kitafund.com/7686-mo
http://bit.ly/3dD
Suriana Welfare Society
Penang Human Stop Human Trafficking campaign with Aspire and Penang Working Group
Love Your Neighbour Penang 19
Malaysiancare.org
Bantuan runcit asas utk rakyat Sg Siput
Human Aid Selangor Society at hass.life
There are many others working beneath the radar of public attention that are worthy of support and that are also praiseworthy for their inter-racial solidarity and building of communal trust and respect right now.
The mass media can do its part by devoting a page to listing the less prominent organisations working in the backstreets and remote areas not reached by the government or other parties. In this way they can help to sustain the efforts of ordinary people in reaching out to our vulnerable communities.
Lim Teck Ghee’s Another Take is aimed at demystifying social orthodoxy. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
