By Izzud deen Redzuan
Do you want a new and better Malaysia?
œA New Malaysia: Beyond Race, Politics and Religion called for a new alliance between ethnicity, science and spirituality to build a better future for Malaysia.
Today, Malaysians become more sensitive towards race and religious related issues despite they are already political enmity in nature “ Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.
From scuffle between upset customer and staff, Malays and Chinese in Low Yat, the fight of the word ˜Allah between Islam and Christianity, then the implementation of ˜Hudud laws.
Malaysians are caught in multiple dilemma and insecurity “ what do the Malays feel, the Chinese feel, the Indian feel, the Muslims feel and the Christians feel?
This book provided an answer; race doesnt exist but ethnicity yes! If there is race, it only leads to racial profiling that keeps us racially divided. Why? Because they fight to become a superior race that make them oppress others. Unlike ethnicity, it’s based on common ancestral, social or cultural.
Religion, is another top debate by politics in Malaysia today. Either this country goes for sacred or secular laws? It is an illusion of conflict because at the end these laws surely meet.
If only we see ˜divine laws as laws made by God and written in the book of one religion and it should be implemented in Malaysia. How about the rest of religions? Their god also made laws in the scriptures.
Besides, the Quran gives a recognition to the existence of divine laws in other civilisations, which Allah SWT says,
œTo each among you have We prescribed a Law and an open way. (5:48)
Laws are made to promote good deeds as well as Divine Laws; perhaps the way it implements to wrongdoers is different and its intention.
 ˜A New Malaysia is also addressing the need of establishment of non-partisan senates at state level and to compliment the Dewan Negara and national state. These senates are chosen from high ranks person who are non-politicians and experts in their field.
They are ˜the Third Force at state level that represents youth and others by giving a concrete expression rather than in-favour towards party interest.
This is a ˜must read book! For anyone with an interest in the direction and future of Malaysia.
This is the fifth book by Joaquim Huang, a veteran of interfaith researcher and a science enthusiast. First published in 2015 by Strategic Information and Research Development Centre (SIRD), Malaysia. This book carries 7 inspirational chapters and 129 pages, which I am certain will touch your heart, tease your mind and soothe your soul.
It’s available at Kinokuniya Suria KLCC or here online at Gerak Budaya at RM25.00.
This book is splendid – there are verses from religious books i.e Quran, Bible, Hindu and Buddhisms scriptures, Taoism, Confuciuism, and Sri Guru Granth Sahibs words – to indicate the significance of multicultural understanding in Malaysia.***