Malaysians want a firm steady hand on the tiller, and not an administration or leader, who panders to the extremists.

Haven’t we seen enough destruction caused by these sanctimonious types? Many have stopped questioning their leaders. They stopped thinking critically.

And they simply accept what is thrown at them. How can they be competitive or even attempt to release their “inner tiger”, if they are as docile as sheep?

What did we learn after 40 years? Instead of being more mature as individuals, we have regressed and the nation has taken a few steps backwards.

In 1982, one young man, a former student leader, was hand-picked by the then-prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to join Umno.

The reasons were twofold. Firstly, it was to stop the young man and the organisation which he co-founded - the Islamic Youth Movement Malaysia (Abim) from criticising the government’s failure at eradicating poverty and landlessness among the nation’s farmers.

Secondly, it was to help win Malay votes as the worldwide Islamic resurgence at the time meant that Malays were gravitating towards PAS.

Politicising religion

As a result of the young man’s actions, the previously secular Umno underwent an Islamic transformation. Religion or rather Islam, which under British rule was considered a private preserve, became politicised.

Fast forward to 2023 and the main protagonists are still around.

The irony is that 40 years later, Mahathir joined forces with his arch-enemy, Abdul Hadi Awang and the party he once despised.

Today, they are aimed at bringing down Anwar Ibrahim, the man whom Mahathir nominated to Islamise Umno to counter PAS.

So, was the raid on Swatch outlets a taste of what’s to come? The seizure is disturbing.

Is the LGBT issue, much like hudud or Shariah law, convenient tools which are stored in each government’s “toolbox”, until such time it is needed, like for a state election, when the administration wants to appease the conservative Malay?

It will be interesting to know the Madani government’s current stand on LGBTs.

After GE14, the then-Harapan government relayed many mixed messages about LGBTs.

Many members of the LGBT community felt betrayed that the promised reform and protection, after years of discrimination was not delivered.

They thought that they could have been accorded equal rights, but this was not the case.

Today, it is alarming to read about the government’s panic and fear of “LGBT elements”.

In the past, various politicians claimed that the government had experts who could help LGBTs return to the “right path”.

Religious officers will offer counselling, but we know that their version of counselling will be different from what we are used to.

For many in the LGBT community, counselling means that they are subjected to violence at boot camps, where it is alleged that effeminate males are beaten and humiliated by cruel taunts.

Is this how experts from religious departments use physical and mental violence to “cure” those with LGBT traits?

Apart from the alleged use of violence, LGBT participants are forced to pray harder and more frequently.

They hope that divine intervention through concentrated prayer, will compel the transgender to be what the authorities perceive to be a “normal” person.

We are petrified of acting firmly against religious extremists in society. In a few years’ time, they are not going to be satisfied with confiscating a few watches.

A Malaysian problem

They will demand more draconian measures against the LGBT and non-Muslims.

For those who think this is a Malay/Muslim problem, think again. Look at the “Allah” issue or what happened to Indira Gandhi and Loh Siew Hong.

Perhaps you are happy with halal and non-halal supermarket trolleys, or dress codes in government departments. These are all Malaysian problems.

We failed to nip the extremist problem decades ago and if the focus on the two Rs – race and religion - is allowed to fester, the lives of ordinary Malaysians will worsen.

Do not allow the tail to wag the dog. Anwar’s Madani government must be firm and stand up against extremists.

Stop being holier than thou.