TalentCorp Malaysia CEO Johan Mahmood Merican describes the bullies as gaining strength by drowning out voices of reason of moderate Malaysians. — Picture by Yusof Mat IsaKUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — Moderate Malaysians can no longer afford to be silent and must speak up to check the bullies who have tried to stir up religious sentiments, TalentCorp Malaysia CEO Johan Mahmood Merican has said.
Johan described the bullies as gaining strength by drowning out voices of reason.
“Their persistent and loud voice, if not checked, will end up deceiving us into believing that they represent the norm and we moderate Malaysians are alone,” he told The Star in a report published today, reportedly likening them to bullies in a playground.
Johan also used the analogy of popular saga “Star Wars” and its characters when speaking of groups that dealt with “absolutes”.
“There are groups like Isma (Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia) who seem to speak in absolutes, intolerant of the different views of others, including different communities,” he was quoted saying in the interview under The Star’s Voices of Moderation campaign.
Johan pointed to a scene in the fictional film series where a character by the name of Anakin Skywalker said “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy”.
“Obi Wan Kenobi responds by saying: ‘Only the Sith (evil) deals in absolutes’,” Johan said, referring to another character in the film series.
Johan viewed the moderates as being the majority in Malaysia, but said this group “tend to wallow in apathy” instead of speaking up.
Isma is a hardline Malay-Muslim group that has risen to the fore in last year, often drawing attention for its controversial opinions.
.jpg)
