In his speech at the book launch of Dr. Syed Husin Ali’s book on “Ethnic Relations in Malaysia: Harmony and Conflict???, Dr. Lim examined Husin’s contribution in three key areas – as a scholar and intellectual, as a humanist and as an activist. Following this examination, he paid tribute to Husin as someone who is “a very special Malaysian in his role as scholar, patriot and nationalist???. Dr. Lim noted that Husin – though deeply concerned about his own community – has risen above narrow racial considerations to fight for justice and fairness for all communities. Husin – through his incarceration under the ISA – had paid the highest possible price paid by any academician for his ideals and for his commitment to change in the country. Dr. Lim called on the younger generation to draw inspiration from Husin’s work and deeds and to use him as a role model in their own lives.
Dr. Lim attributed the blame for the deterioration in race relations to the ruling parties’, especially UMNO’s, mismanagement of racial issues and misuse and abuse of power to suppress important multi-racial initiatives and movements. He pointed out that because of the Barisan Nasional’s racially based and racially biased strategies, ethnic relations in the country was presently in a precarious condition.
Dr Lim argued that the task of achieving more harmonious ethnic relations required all stakeholders – including the opposition parties – to think out of the box. In particular, individuals and organizations need to get out of their respective ethnic skins. All of us need to be concerned and to speak out on the problems of other communities – not just that of our own community. If all Malaysians can avoid being preoccupied with the interests of their own group and community and instead empathize and speak out for the concerns of other groups and communities, we can take a giant leap forward in our ethnic relations.
Finally Dr. Lim pointed out that the path to better ethnic relations also depended on the emergence of a more gentle and kinder Islam. He asked where the more open and tolerant (and in his view, more progressive) Islam that was found in the country until the 1960’s and even 70’s had gone, and whether it was possible for Malays and Muslims to return to this tolerant (and non-threatening to non-Muslims) form of Islam. In his view, given the special position of Islam and the dominance of Malays in the country, the onus and impetus for better religious relations founded on the basis of fairness and tolerance has to come from the Malay/Muslim community.