The Malaysian Insider says :: Why the HATE?

Why the hate? — The Malaysian Insider

October 09, 2011OCT 9 — There appears to be a lot of hate in Malaysia recently because some people have views that differ from the official line.

And hate is something no Malaysian should tolerate especially because there is a difference of opinion. This is not a case of if-you-are-not-with-me-then-you-must-be-against-me.

Consider the following.

First, hate was spewed at Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan over Bersih 2.0, then it was PAS No 2 Mohamad Sabu for his views about freedom fighters and now Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for reportedly making disparaging remarks about another state.

Why would any of these issues cause people to issue threats or send louts to frighten the individuals in question and their families?

Why can’t Ambiga, Mat Sabu or Lim hold a different opinion about the state of the nation?

Is there only one official narrative that all Malaysians should hold?

Should we all slavishly follow the one official thought of what Malaysia is? Surely 1 Malaysia is more than that.

And surely, we should reject such far-right views spouted in the open by extremists who inhabit Utusan Malaysia, Umno and Perkasa.

They are entitled to think that all is well in Malaysia and that the Umno-led government is doing a good job. Fifty-four years of continuous rule is proof of that.

But they shouldn’t hate those who feel otherwise. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about the country and no one should be hated for holding their opinion.