At a time when freedom has become a theme song for many and western notions of what freedom and human rights mean are being imbibed by most people proactively, certain groups clamouring for such freedom in Malaysia are not even realising what it could mean for nation building and general public interest.
The idea of what freedom and human rights could mean has undergone a sea change. While, in the early days, freedom meant liberating oneself from the colonial yoke, now the concept of freedom is seen through the prism of fundamental human rights.
So, the idea of human rights has come to envisage a long line up of freedoms of speech and expression, religious affiliation, holding rallies and so on.
Such a pursuit of myriad freedoms poses a serious challenge to Malaysia's nation building process and also to the efforts to preserve the spirit of independence that its citizens have successfully nurtured over the last 56 years.
THE WESTERN DOGMA
In today's borderless world where news travels fast, the Western view and norms about freedom and equality have influenced Malaysians profoundly.
Therefore, it is not surprising to see Malaysians adopting Western norms in their everyday life, where the rights of individuals and smaller groups supplant the rights of the majority.
Such a phenomenon is evident in the West where small groups feel free to do anything, including even going against the order of nature in the name of democracy and fundamental rights.
Malaysia witnessed similar developments, including the Merdeka Sexuality Campaign aimed at asserting the rights of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGBT).
In todays times, those with a liberal and plural thought dominate the society, especially when it comes to religious freedoms. In their view, religion shackles their freedoms and rights.
For them, the only right way to live is to acknowledge that all ideologies and doctrines are equal and legitimate.
Such new fangled ideas about freedom and human rights are being debated ad nauseam, particularly on social media networks that have become the mail platform for such exchanges.
The social media today serves as a conduit for freedom of expression with discussions on a range of issues transgressing any racial, cultural or religious boundaries or sentiments.
Despite the disrespect, scorn, contempt and even lies disseminated by a few people in the cyberspace, the Malaysian social fabric remains intact, thanks to the fact that a majority of Malaysians continue to hold steadfast to their established norms and beliefs.
THERE CANNOT BE ABSOLUTE FREEDOM
There are certain sections in the society that are too engrossed with the entire idea of cultural globalization, especially when it comes to issues related to freedom and human rights that, in fact, could bring more harm than good.
There cannot be absolute freedom or completely inalienable human rights.
"The concepts of freedom and human rights should be viewed in the right perspective if we are to maintain the spirit of independence and continue with the nation building process," noted a lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia's Law Faculty, Associate Professor Dr Shamrahayu Abdul Aziz.
Certain standards and guidelines cast in the indigenous Malay mould and not based on other civilisations need to be put in place.
Of course, change is the only constant and there can definitely be changes in the philosophy and ideologies that guide the notion of human rights, but these should not lead a scenario of endless chaos or anarchy.
"Therefore, as long we want to preserve the spirit of independence, there have to be some limitations placed on freedom and human rights that can act as a safeguard and take into account our religious sensitivities, social values, norms and ethics," she said .
MATURITY AND RESILIANCE
"We have to shape our democratic character in our own mould. If we are to adopt the democratic rights practiced by other nations, then that will not be a proper thing to do," she told Bernama recently.
"The British never forced us to follow their laws, like the Civil Laws of Britain adopted in Malaya in 1956.
They set a condition that these laws should only be adopted if these were suitable for the society in Malaysia.
Though the British were the colonisers, they respected the views and circumstances of the Malayan people.
"Today, many are blindly following the new trend of how human rights are seen in the West, but we have to ask to ourselves whether such a notion suits the culture and society here," she posed her query.
This is where Malaysians have to show their resolve in facing the onslaught of inappropriate influences.
"Maturity and resilience are what are going to help us preserve our dignity, our self esteem and our race from the undue and harmful influence of outside elements," she said.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RELIGION
The fact remains that despite being an independent nation for the last 56 years, Malaysians remain at the crossroads when it comes to national resilience.
Shamrahayu noted that the strength of a religion and a race is the basis for the citizenrys national resilience.
"And if we are to adopt the values of others in the name of globalisation, we may not be able to fulfill the goal of nation building," she said.
Religion plays a significant role. No religion in this world encourages bad deeds or divides people. In fact Malaysia's success, despite being a small and plural nation, is due to the strong and fundamental religious values that shielded the people from the unwanted influences, she said.
"Any religions calls for showing respect to other faiths. In fact, if everyone truly respected their religion, even 10 different races can live in harmony in Malaysia," she said.
Moreover, religion controls emotions and therefore could help calm down conflicts and promote love and respect for the country.
RELIGION AS A SHIELD
People should exercise restrain because that is what their religious beliefs and cultural values tell them.
Only when we fail to do this, the laws and enforcement mechanisms kick in and that is when the freedom without limits can become dangerous.
"We have seen how the Sedition Act introduced in 1948 contributed effectively in maintaining communal harmony, religion and the royal institutions," she said.
She hoped that the government would study the legislation before replacing it.There is no need to wait until something detrimental happens and only then enforce stringent laws.
This constant contempt towards established norms, demands for further liberalisation and ever more equality puts great strain on racial and religious relationships.
She stressed that Malaysia was not ready to discard all the laws that have helped preserve the communal harmony all these years though many felt they stood in the way of human rights and fairness.
The idea of what freedom and human rights could mean has undergone a sea change. While, in the early days, freedom meant liberating oneself from the colonial yoke, now the concept of freedom is seen through the prism of fundamental human rights.
So, the idea of human rights has come to envisage a long line up of freedoms of speech and expression, religious affiliation, holding rallies and so on.
Such a pursuit of myriad freedoms poses a serious challenge to Malaysia's nation building process and also to the efforts to preserve the spirit of independence that its citizens have successfully nurtured over the last 56 years.
THE WESTERN DOGMA
In today's borderless world where news travels fast, the Western view and norms about freedom and equality have influenced Malaysians profoundly.
Therefore, it is not surprising to see Malaysians adopting Western norms in their everyday life, where the rights of individuals and smaller groups supplant the rights of the majority.
Such a phenomenon is evident in the West where small groups feel free to do anything, including even going against the order of nature in the name of democracy and fundamental rights.
Malaysia witnessed similar developments, including the Merdeka Sexuality Campaign aimed at asserting the rights of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGBT).
In todays times, those with a liberal and plural thought dominate the society, especially when it comes to religious freedoms. In their view, religion shackles their freedoms and rights.
For them, the only right way to live is to acknowledge that all ideologies and doctrines are equal and legitimate.
Such new fangled ideas about freedom and human rights are being debated ad nauseam, particularly on social media networks that have become the mail platform for such exchanges.
The social media today serves as a conduit for freedom of expression with discussions on a range of issues transgressing any racial, cultural or religious boundaries or sentiments.
Despite the disrespect, scorn, contempt and even lies disseminated by a few people in the cyberspace, the Malaysian social fabric remains intact, thanks to the fact that a majority of Malaysians continue to hold steadfast to their established norms and beliefs.
THERE CANNOT BE ABSOLUTE FREEDOM
There are certain sections in the society that are too engrossed with the entire idea of cultural globalization, especially when it comes to issues related to freedom and human rights that, in fact, could bring more harm than good.
There cannot be absolute freedom or completely inalienable human rights.
"The concepts of freedom and human rights should be viewed in the right perspective if we are to maintain the spirit of independence and continue with the nation building process," noted a lecturer at the International Islamic University Malaysia's Law Faculty, Associate Professor Dr Shamrahayu Abdul Aziz.
Certain standards and guidelines cast in the indigenous Malay mould and not based on other civilisations need to be put in place.
Of course, change is the only constant and there can definitely be changes in the philosophy and ideologies that guide the notion of human rights, but these should not lead a scenario of endless chaos or anarchy.
"Therefore, as long we want to preserve the spirit of independence, there have to be some limitations placed on freedom and human rights that can act as a safeguard and take into account our religious sensitivities, social values, norms and ethics," she said .
MATURITY AND RESILIANCE
"We have to shape our democratic character in our own mould. If we are to adopt the democratic rights practiced by other nations, then that will not be a proper thing to do," she told Bernama recently.
"The British never forced us to follow their laws, like the Civil Laws of Britain adopted in Malaya in 1956.
They set a condition that these laws should only be adopted if these were suitable for the society in Malaysia.
Though the British were the colonisers, they respected the views and circumstances of the Malayan people.
"Today, many are blindly following the new trend of how human rights are seen in the West, but we have to ask to ourselves whether such a notion suits the culture and society here," she posed her query.
This is where Malaysians have to show their resolve in facing the onslaught of inappropriate influences.
"Maturity and resilience are what are going to help us preserve our dignity, our self esteem and our race from the undue and harmful influence of outside elements," she said.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RELIGION
The fact remains that despite being an independent nation for the last 56 years, Malaysians remain at the crossroads when it comes to national resilience.
Shamrahayu noted that the strength of a religion and a race is the basis for the citizenrys national resilience.
"And if we are to adopt the values of others in the name of globalisation, we may not be able to fulfill the goal of nation building," she said.
Religion plays a significant role. No religion in this world encourages bad deeds or divides people. In fact Malaysia's success, despite being a small and plural nation, is due to the strong and fundamental religious values that shielded the people from the unwanted influences, she said.
"Any religions calls for showing respect to other faiths. In fact, if everyone truly respected their religion, even 10 different races can live in harmony in Malaysia," she said.
Moreover, religion controls emotions and therefore could help calm down conflicts and promote love and respect for the country.
RELIGION AS A SHIELD
People should exercise restrain because that is what their religious beliefs and cultural values tell them.
Only when we fail to do this, the laws and enforcement mechanisms kick in and that is when the freedom without limits can become dangerous.
"We have seen how the Sedition Act introduced in 1948 contributed effectively in maintaining communal harmony, religion and the royal institutions," she said.
She hoped that the government would study the legislation before replacing it.There is no need to wait until something detrimental happens and only then enforce stringent laws.
This constant contempt towards established norms, demands for further liberalisation and ever more equality puts great strain on racial and religious relationships.
She stressed that Malaysia was not ready to discard all the laws that have helped preserve the communal harmony all these years though many felt they stood in the way of human rights and fairness.
