Without anti-discrimination laws, societal divisions loom - Sivarraajh

SHAH ALAM - Former MIC youth chief Senator Datuk C. Sivarraajh has called for the government to enact the anti-discrimination legislation, citing concerns that issues related to race and religion persist without tangible change.

Sivarraajh expressed worry that without specific laws addressing discrimination, narrow racial and religious concerns would persist, potentially leading to societal divisions.

He stressed the importance of recognising the impact of these issues, starting from schools and extending to tertiary education, where Indian students may feel compelled to stick to their own groups.

"Without proper law, we fear these narrow racial and religious issues will continue to fester, ultimately dividing our society," Sivarraajh said in the Sana Sini podcast aired recently.

He highlighted the pernicious effects of discrimination, starting from social segregation in schools and universities, leading to stunted opportunities and career prospects.

Sivarraajh acknowledged that while some incidents might involve individuals from the community, they did not reflect the entire group, urging an end to stereotypes.

Sivarraajh referenced an emotional acceptance speech by recent Royal Education Award recipient M. Nahvin, who called for meritocracy in education and the protection of minority rights.

Nahvin shared a personal anecdote about a friend's denial of admission to a matriculation programme, despite having similar qualifications.

Sivarraajh's concerns were echoed by co-host, Professor Datuk Dr Professor P. Sivamurugan, who stressed the need for academics and alumni to step up and actively address these issues.

"Instead of ignoring it, we need proactive engagement," Sivamurugan stressed.

He suggested annual symposiums and engagement sessions for academics and alumni to brainstorm solutions and empower students to speak up against discrimination.

This call came amidst a stark reality.

The 2023 Malaysian Discrimination Situation Survey by Architects of Diversity Malaysia revealed that only 45 per cent of Malaysians were satisfied with government efforts to combat discrimination, highlighting the pressing need for meaningful action.