By Arveent Kathirtchelvan Malaysia has a strange relationship with race relations. On the one hand, we sell the image of a multiracial smorgasbord living together to the outside world. On the other, we live in silos and house unhealthy suspicion towards those who are our fellow countrymen but have different skin colours. This has been … Continue reading The Question of Cultural Appropriation
Varied Communalism
By Arveent Kathirtchelvan An edited version of this article originally appeared in MalaysiaKini When Zakir Naik commented that those who wish to deport him must also consider asking our ‘old Chinese guests’ to leave, it left me dismayed. For one, I have never been a fan of the man. His supposedly intelligent debates are riddled … Continue reading Varied Communalism
On Proselytisation
By Arveent Kathirtchelvan Religion has become a non-issue for me over the years. I usually don’t take positions defending or protecting any specific ones or their adherents. However, recent events have piqued my interest in this matter with the now infamous incident of controversial Islamic preacher Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu insulting Hinduism. This is unsurprising … Continue reading On Proselytisation
The hypocrisy of Himpunan 405
The status of Islam and the special position of Malays in Malaysia are more defensible than threatened. So why were these people protesting?
Liberasi’s Reply to the Malaysian Government’s Stance on the ICERD
Liberasi is disappointed and disagrees with the Malaysian government’s current stance of not ratifying the ICERD. We believe that ratification brings several benefits to the country and the reasons of not doing are not justified. However, we would like to recognise the Malaysian political climate currently and comment with more nuance on the matter. For … Continue reading Liberasi’s Reply to the Malaysian Government’s Stance on the ICERD
Liberasi Statement In Support of the Ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)
Liberasi would like to express its support of the Malaysian Government’s proposal to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). We note, however, that several groups and politicians have voiced their concerns about the impact of the ICERD’s ratification on existing race-based policies in Malaysia. Objectors to the … Continue reading Liberasi Statement In Support of the Ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)
Malay vs Malaysian, What’s The Question?
This article is written following the Malaysian Student Leaders’ Summit XII and focuses on Session 1 entitled The Malaysian Dilemma: The Future of Race-based Politics. by Arveent Kathirtchelvan Going to the Malaysian Student Leaders’ Summit XII induced mixed emotions. From last year, the experience was expected to be about average but I guess that’s par for … Continue reading Malay vs Malaysian, What’s The Question?
Do Malays Lack Empathy?
The Malaysian Students’ Leaders Summit XII will be held on the 11th of August. Session 1 of MSLS XII is entitled The Malaysian Dilemma: The Future of Race-Based Politics in Malaysia. This article focuses on a possible effect of the over-focus on Malay-Muslim sensitivities. by Arveent Kathirtchelvan We are in an era of a New … Continue reading Do Malays Lack Empathy?
