A need for more reason along with our religion
Stopping others from doing perfectly normal things because of one’s religious belief should not be allowed anywhere in the world.
IT was Sunday. And I was with a bunch of friends when the sirens blared. A police patrol car went whizzing past, chasing down a mat rempit. Then, it fell silent.
A little while later, the sirens blared again as the car again came chasing.
This time, the guy on the bike got it wrong. He slammed into a parked car and fell on the road.
The policemen got off their car, gave him a kick and punch before subduing the lad.
Then, as we were all staring, one of the policemen walked over to explain why they had chased the lad who had been playing hide and seek with them.
Why am I telling this story? My friends and I were having a few beers in a shop by the road. And the policeman was not about to arrest us.
He, at least, knew who was the wrongdoer and who were just minding their own business.
Having an alcoholic drink in a shop is not a crime. Which is something the residents of Flora Damansara who drew up a list of demands should know.
A few of them had marched into a shop, demanding that people in the area should not use drugs, should stop drinking in that area and not walk around in “bare clothing”.
There’s really nothing wrong with the demands. It’s just how it was done. And why.
Apparently, a group of Africans uses drugs, consumes alcohol and misbehaves in public there. There are claims of sexual misbehaviour, too.
We all agree that this should not be happening and must be stopped. A police report needs to be lodged, the culprits identified and punished accordingly.
However, it’s not right to demand that no one should drink, or wear clothes that they feel comfortable in. You do not demand that all motorcycles be taken off the streets just because a bunch of mat rempit is terrorising a stretch of road.
Beer drinkers seem to have become an unfortunate target these days. There’s this Better Beer Festival. It’s where people show off their own brews which are not marketed locally. The fest has been around for almost half a decade now.
This year, though, there have been protests and, in a shot, the event has been barred.
The problem is: it’s not as if these drinkers are going to get out on the streets and promote free sex or anything.
It will be within a confined area, and I guess the authorities can demand that the area be cordoned off or even hidden from public view with decorated hoardings.
But to ban it altogether? The police then warned of security threats. But I have absolute faith in our cops.
There were apparently security threats during the SEA Games closing ceremony and the National Day events, too. We did not scrap those. The cops made sure we were all safe.
If we cancel the event because of terror threats, the terrorists win. And we lose.
Now, it’s Oktoberfest, another annual event that has caught the eyes of those who love moral policing. They want that stopped, too.
But wait a minute. Oktoberfest is being held in Palestine. And in the country with the world’s highest number of Muslims, the event is being held on Oct 13 and 14 in Jakarta, backed by the GrandKemang Hotel. It will be a huge party.
Sarawak, too, has no problem hosting the festival.
Sure, they can have traffic police outside to make sure no one drives after drinking. That’s fair.
But calling it off – for religious reasons or not – cannot be the answer. Sometimes, religion does not see reason. In India, there are people who would kill their fellow humans just because they slaughter cows – held holy by the Hindus – for beef.
Talking of religion, there’s now this launderette in Johor. To the owner, the clothes of non-Muslim can apparently taint those of Muslims if washed in the same machine.
It did not occur to him to put up a sign telling customers not to wash their clothes there if they had petted a dog or done anything that would be offensive to Muslims.
Instead, he decided on a Muslim-only laundry. There were those who protested. And there were those who backed him.
Thank God for the wisdom of the Johor royal family. First, a prince and then the Ruler himself made it clear that such segregation should not occur.
The man rushed to remove the signage and has now agreed to allow everyone to use his washing machines.
That’s exactly what we need. The voice of the strong and powerful to make clear the direction in which the country is headed.
There are many clear heads in our midst but these stronger voices need to be heard if we are to stay as a wonderful melting pot nation, where diversity is welcomed and celebrated.
However, it’s not right to demand that no one should drink, or wear clothes that they feel comfortable in. You do not demand that all motorcycles be taken off the streets just because a bunch of mat rempit is terrorising a stretch of road.
The writer, who can be reached at raj@ thestar. com.my, objects to the ban on the slaughter of cows for beef in India, the attack on the Rohingya by Myanmar monks, and the launderette’s action in Johor. These things must not be done in the name of religion – any religion.