Answers from the Dewan?

YAYASAN Perpaduan Malaysia (YPM) welcomes the announcement by Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that AttorneyGeneral Tommy Thomas will order an inquest to determine the cause of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s death after a postmortem uncovered a “few clues”.

An inquest has also become necessary since no one has been charged for Adib’s death which has been classified as murder.

As important as, and related to, Adib’s inquest is an honest and comprehensive investigation into the riot that occurred at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor, on Nov 26, 2018.

An independent investigation should establish the factors that led to the riot, the groups and individuals involved, their motives, the sequence of events that resulted in the loss of a life and the destruction of property, the role of the media, including social media, and the police and fire department response to the incident.

It is a pity that more than a month after the incident, the general public still does not know what actually transpired in the early hours of that day. In the absence of an authoritative account, rumours, distortions and half-truths have gained currency. These in turn have shaped public perceptions which have impacted negatively upon ethnic relations in certain circles.

Some Malay-Muslim and IndianHindu groups have suggested the convening of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the riot. An RCI will take time to set up and its inquiry may be long-drawn. There is an alternative that is worth exploring: The Dewan Rakyat can investigate the riot.

This will require a resolution of the Dewan under Standing Order 88A which will enable the Dewan to establish a committee under the chairmanship of the Speaker and comprising members of Parliament chosen by the Dewan Rakyat itself. Though the Dewan Rakyat is in recess at the moment, it can be summoned to assemble for this specific purpose.

The committee will have wide powers of investigation and will report to the Dewan when its findings are ready. Though the report will not amount to a verdict as such, its findings will carry considerable moral weight. They can be the basis for subsequent legal and judicial action.

It is important to carve out this new role for Malaysia’s Parliament. The Dewan Rakyat in particular is the highest legislative body in the land and has an unparalleled place of honour in our system of governance. Moreover, it is, collectively speaking, a multiethnic and multi-religious institution. It is better qualified than most other institutions to play an effective role in resolving ethnic challenges in the country. The idea of a Dewan Rakyat committee to probe a specific issue that unfortunately has assumed a communal colouring will bring Parliament into the very crux of the management of ethnic relations.

As we reflect upon the temple riot, there are a few valuable lessons we can draw from the incident. One, accurate information about the background to an incident, its evolution and its impact should be provided to the public immediately, preferably by a body in authority.

Two, lies and distortions should be countered effectively and immediately. This may entail taking drastic action against irresponsible social media users.

Three, those who are in a position to shape public opinion, whether they are political leaders or social activists or media commentators, should adopt a national rather than a sectarian or parochial approach to the issue. Undoubtedly, in the temple incident a number of individuals reacted to the issue from a sectarian perspective and, as a result, exacerbated the situation.

Four, in finding a solution, the parties concerned should act fast without unnecessary delay. They should not drag their feet. When ethnic challenges are allowed to fester with no sight of a solution, they tend to heighten the ethnic temperature.

Five, while the urgency of finding a solution cannot be emphasised enough, one should also ensure that it is just and fair to everyone, especially the principal ethnic actors involved. As a general guideline, one should adhere to the Malaysian Constitution and the aspirations and principles of the Rukunegara.