From the fringe of Malaysian politics, East Malaysia is now playing an increasingly central role.

Malaysia has been independent for over 60 years now, and by right having been living together for so long, there shouldn’t be any new racial issues popping up among Malaysians.

Unfortunately we have irresponsible politicians who are so eager to deploy their divisive tactics to erect taller and taller walls among the many ethnic communities in this country.

Racial and religious issues are getting increasingly sensitive while more and more restrictions have been imposed on our multicultural society, creating new segregation among the people.

Following the fragmentation of Malaysia’s political landscape, some political parties have decided to go down the extreme path by raising sensitive racial and religious issues in a bid to fish the prized Malay votes without taking into consideration the reality of our vulnerable diverse society.

Sadly, such despicable tactics have been largely successful and the perpetrators are handsomely rewarded.

The country scored an unprecedented breakthrough a couple of years ago, ending the long-standing “one-party politics” and crossing a new milestone in modern democracy.

Indeed, many fantasized that the Malaysian society would henceforth move towards greater freedom and inclusivity and embrace pluralism and liberalism. But what we got in the end was more racism and thinning social tolerance.

The PN coalition is fiercely playing the race and religion cards in wrestling the support of Malay/Muslim electorate. For fear of powerful backlash from the conservatives in the society, the unity government has been treading very cautiously on thin ice, avoiding direct confrontation wherever possible. As a result, Malaysian politics is dangerously heading towards racialization and religionization.

Just as the racial and religious flames are burning hard over here in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak across the South China Sea are basking in relative harmony and serenity, teaching us what a truly harmonious multicultural society should look like.

Many things that are sensitive in West Malaysia are non-issues in East Malaysia, as they are very quickly suppressed there. Things that don’t get done easily here is a breeze for them.

Take the UEC recognition for instance, we have been beating around the bush for years by successive governments but that “last mile” is never reached. In East Malaysia, where the last mile means the last mile, the same journey can be covered in just a few simple strides.

As Sarawak premier Abang Jo has said, while UEC is like a hot potato in West Malaysia, it is not a controversial issue at all in Sarawak. He says UEC has been recognized by established universities worldwide, including those in the UK and US, adding that UEC recognition is one way Sarawak is retaining its talents.

If we were to look at the UEC issue from the academic perspective, just like Abang Jo, isn’t the whole problem solved?

On the recently revised guidelines for concerts and live performances, Sarawak’s minister of tourism, creative industry and performing arts Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says the state will be gone if it squarely follows the directives of federal regulators and allows them to tell it what to do.

When West Malaysia is leaning towards religionism, East Malaysia decisively says “no”!

And on the issue of Muslims visiting houses of worship of other religions, the issue that has caused a big stir here is a non-issue across the South China Sea. As Abdul Karim has said, there is no such problem in Sarawak.

As a matter of fact, the Johor sultan has also said that there is no reason to bar Muslims in the state from visiting houses of worship of other religions or attending their festivities, as long as they do not take part in religious rituals and prayers.

Unfortunately, owing to the manipulation of rogue politicians, such minor matters have been amplified many times over, wreaking havoc to intercommunity harmony.

As mentioned earlier, the political and social ambiance on both sides of the South China Sea is very different, with East Malaysia much more readily manifesting and respecting the unique attributes of our multicultural society.

Economically speaking, West Malaysia is far ahead of the East, but where embracing diversity is concerned, we trail far behind!

At this particular point of time, East Malaysia commands an absolute advantage in wielding significant influence on Malaysia’s political climate, thanks to political fragmentation stemming from the reality that no single party or coalition is able to form the federal government on its own, which warrants the support of East Malaysian seats in order to form a majority government.

From the fringe of Malaysian politics, East Malaysia is now playing an increasingly central role.

East Malaysia should exert its influence in delivering West Malaysia out of the current racial and religious mudpool towards greater moderation and progress.

Do bear in mind that East Malaysian leaders must not think that whatever happens on the other side will not affect them, as they will not be spared if the West is plunged into deep racial and religious fanaticism.