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May 13 won’t happen again

I don’t think Malaysia will see another May 13 tragedy.

There are two main reasons: one, the ordinary Malaysian wants to live in peace and, two, Malaysians are more mature today and they can see through the deviousness of power hungry politicians and individuals.

But, certainly we have to be concerned when the deputy prime minister of the nation himself says May 13 is possible.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is reported to have said in Utusan Malaysia that racial riots could occur if Malaysians of different ethnic origins continued to criticise one another, leading to suspicion of each other.

Muhyiddin was quoted as saying: “Because of that there exist all kinds of assumptions when ethnic ties become strained and unhealthy. This can cause that event and I do not want to mention the particular date.” He was, of course, alluding to the May 13 1969 racial riots, as Malay daily Utusan Malaysia pointed out.

It is unfortunate that Muhyiddin went on to say that he had been receiving text messages from people expressing concern about the welfare of the Malays and Islam. This gives the impression that the non-Malays are causing the tension or problem.

Now, that is not something one would expect a leader who is supposed to look after the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion, to say or imply; at least not in public.

It is unfortunate, too, that he chose to speak about riots during a Ramadan event. My Muslim friends tell me that during Ramadan a Muslim should think positive thoughts, foster friendship and help the less fortunate.

Muhyiddin has been blasted for his remarks by many groups and individuals, including Malays.

Opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang, for instance, has even urged for the holding of an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the “critical situation” as it was a confession, according to him, of the failure of the government’s efforts at nation-building.

That’s one way to look at it. When a top government leader warns of the possibility of riots, it can mean that the efforts taken so far, the policies implemented so far, have not been effective.

"The country is faced with the most critical situation in 45 years if a deputy prime minister could publicly say that another May 13 is not impossible,” Lim dramatically put it.

There is another way of looking at it too. Gerakan President Datuk Mah Siew Keong and MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai say we should take it as a reminder from Muhyiddin to Malaysians to be united, that's all.

Muhyiddin’s statement elicited a different kind of response from Penang Deputy Chief Minister II and DAP member Dr P. Ramasamy. He challenged Muhyiddin to bring on May 13.

I am sometimes amazed at the reactions of our politicians. One irresponsible statement does not negate another irresponsible statement.

Ramasamy was right in saying that Malaysians in general did not want to see a recurrence of the May 13 riots. But it is unfortunate that he went on to say: “Don’t talk. All the time talking May 13, May 13. Bring-lah May 13. You start May 13. This will be the first time the government starts May 13. You think what? You think we’re scared ah?”

Not to be outdone, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) President Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman warned that May 13 could recur. He said there was strong evidence that some people were trying to deny Malay Muslims their rights under the Federal Constitution.

He warned the Muslim community to be aware of the threat they faced and that the country was moving towards a time of racial conflict.

It is unfortunate that his words imply that non-Muslims or non-Malays are to be blamed for the rather nebulous “threat” that he says Muslims face.

But, as I said, Malaysians are more mature today. Most Malaysians are aware of the tricks used by some politicians and politically-motivated individuals and groups to either gain power or stay in power or receive rewards from their masters.

They know that every citizen stands to lose if there is a racial riot. Only those who hunger for power or want to cling on to power – and those paid to do their bidding – stand to gain.

Also, more Malaysians are speaking up for justice and what is right, except that their voices are not loud enough as yet.

And if at all a racial fight were to occur, you can be certain it would not have been started by an ordinary Malaysian. Ahmad, Ah Chong and Arumugam have better things to do.