– Nehali
The Malaysian Insider
February 01, 2014

Recently, various community leaders and politicians appeal for calm, in view of recent simultaneous firebombing of churches in Penang.

Yes, we all need to stay calm but it can be the calm before the storm of racial, religious conflict and violence.

Police is working hard to apprehend the culprits for the Molotov. This is important to send the message that violence should be punished.

However, of greater importance is to investigate and punish the instigators of violence and sowers of hatred. We know who they are.

They are the Yang Berhormats who wear holy garbs or suits with neckties. They spread lies, fears, fanned hatred and division in the name of protecting the “inalienable” rights of one particular race.

They claimed exclusive rights to the name of God and acted as though God is weak and needed their protection. What most people fail to see is that beneath the sheep’s clothing is the ugly wolf, seething with the lust of selfish political agendas.

These hypocrites are a minority. Yet their influence is far and wide. Their influence can only be stemmed by the waking up of the silent majority.

This peace-loving, silent majority needs to rise up to the occasion to silence the voices of these hypocrites with what I call, some “creative energy.”

For example, the walk in the park of KLCC by a group of passionate people distributing flowers and chocolates of goodwill is symbolic of the creative energy that can be harnessed for the good of the nation.

Even a jog around the park by tens of thousands of people, along with media coverage, will speak volume. It does not always have to be a demonstration.

Even printing car stickers with messages such as, “I reject gutter politics” or “Bribery is not my way of life. Is it yours?” is also a good way to promote a good culture. Companies can lend their support by sponsoring these stickers by endorsing the community message with their company logo.

Others like Datin Marina Mahathir and Sisters in Islam have also done what most people are “afraid” to do. I was pleasantly surprised that Marina led a group of people to protect the churches. It is because of such creative energy that Marina had harnessed to stand in the gap, the extremists did not dare to move forward with their plans.

In coming months, we know that Umno Selangor has vowed that they would go on a roadshow to explain why Allah is an exclusive name for Muslims, although we know that the issue is more political than religious.

By standing up to the wolves in sheep clothes, the moderates can help to bring about calmness that is the result of genuine peace and harmony among the people of Malaysia.

Then and only then, the storm that may threaten the calmness would be but a storm in the tea cup at worst. – February 1, 2014.