Exploiting religion for electoral gain divides society

When religion is weaponised to secure power it creates a dangerous breeding ground for “takfiri” tendencies (exclusionary extremism). Those with differing viewpoints are casually branded as deviant or heretical simply to serve partisan interests.

We must recognise that while anchoring a struggle on faith isn’t wrong, politics and governance must remain subservient to decorum, ethics, and truth.

They must never be distorted to satisfy the whims of those in power. Critiques of ideas should be articulated with utmost civility, avoiding the sensitivities that could tear our harmony apart.

If religion continues to be exploited for worldly agendas, its sanctity will diminish, and society risks division.

The impact of this exploitation is far more destructive in a multi-ethnic nation than in a homogenous society. The very diversity that should define our strength can be turned into a sharp fault line through extreme manipulation.

The danger of this tactic cannot be overstated — it has the potential to dismantle national stability, ignite racial conflict, and destroy the social cohesion we have built over generations.

When the flames of religious animosity are fanned by an “us versus them” narrative, the doors to dialogue and tolerance slam shut.

Society not only fails to comprehend the cultural sensitivities of others but also begins to view neighbours with suspicion. For some, the weaponising of religion in the pursuit of power only fosters a skewed perception of an otherwise beautiful faith.

Ultimately, such hate rhetoric and extremist provocations breed deep-seated prejudices that tear at the very fabric of our society.

The intersection of religious and ethnic identity

As a pluralistic nation, Malaysia is highly vulnerable to religious and ethnic exploitation. History bears witness to the fact that animosities of this nature frequently culminate in chaos.

The consequences are stark: stagnant economic growth, plummeting investments, lost livelihoods, and rising unemployment. In the end, no one wins.

Because religious and racial identities in Malaysia are intricately intertwined, a provocation against one facet is often interpreted as a direct assault on the entire community. The tensions within a pluralistic society resemble a ticking time bomb, capable of detonating at any moment if continually triggered by narrow political interests.

Economically, both foreign and domestic investors place a premium on political and social stability. Any unrest stemming from racial and religious manipulation will tarnish the nation’s security profile, thereby crippling the economic ecosystem to the detriment of all citizens.

This challenge grows even more acute in today’s digital landscape. Social media now acts as a catalyst, capable of inflating an isolated local issue into a full-blown national crisis within minutes.

The algorithms of digital platforms are deliberately engineered to amplify content that evokes intense emotions — such as anger and fear.

Consequently, posts laced with religious and racial provocations are the quickest to gain traction and shares.

This dynamic creates echo chambers where users are exposed exclusively to a singular, extreme narrative championed by like-minded groups.

Over time, the bastions of empathy crumble, making it difficult for society to tolerate differing views, and leading them to perceive the “other” as an enemy.

In conclusion, the diversity inherent to Malaysia must be cherished as “sunnatullah” — a divine decree intended to enrich us. Identity politics and narrow, extremist ideologies must be entirely rooted out so that the ghosts of the past do not continue to overshadow our future.

Our maturity as a nation is being tested. How we confront and reject these provocations will ultimately determine whether social security and national harmony are preserved for the generations to come.

Moaz Nair is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.

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