I address this letter of mine to both Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and his friendly neighbour Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma).

After reading your opinions made public recently, I knew some grace time was necessary before writing any sort of response. Now, about a week after, (and in the midst of my final exams), I have the privilege of writing to you with emotions put aside.

In cooling down and taking a step back, it is more obvious to me that behind all the antagonistic, fear-packaged and unjustified claims, your arguments actually hold no weight in value. As such, I won’t waste my time trying to debate with you.

Instead, I have taken the liberty to read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin in the hope of sharing certain aspects that may be of benefit to you. I’m not planning to be an addition to your long list of critics. Rather, I’m opting for the higher road: to help you.

I recognise that the perspectives of both of you could only have been developed through years of neglect, through years of your friends agreeing mindlessly with you. I hope that the following insights on open-mindedness will shed light on your behaviour, that it will place your views into context and that it will pave immediate improvement to your social well-being.

Lets first look at Abdullah Zaik’s claims of a racial invasion. According to you, Zaik, non-Malays have no say in the proposed implementation of hudud because they aren’t full citizens.

Also according to you, Zaik, Malays should stand guard against the Chinese Malaysian population as they are foreign “trespassers,” looking to manipulate the so-called rightful owners of the land.

This week, you said Jewish conspirators are trying to discredit your opinions with accusations of racism and extremism. Frankly, your ideals discredit themselves. Again, I won’t try arguing with you because it seems you ring deaf to anybody other than yourself.

However, here’s a thought: perhaps your propositions come from your high neuroticism; your high and dangerous response to perceived threats. According to Rubin, someone with high neuroticism tends to have “very strong negative reactions - fear, anxiety, shame, guilt, disgust, sadness”.

 With this, it becomes understandable that you would see freedom, equality and human rights as threats to Malaysia’s progress: ‘seeing enemies in your cereal, eh?’ Perhaps also, your vast discomposure stems from an empty mind.

As outlined by Rubin, when a person’s mind is unoccupied, “they tend to drift to anxious or angry thoughts”, they dwell on “unpleasant encounters and sad events,” which “leads to bad feelings”.

My advice for you, Zaik, would be to find a hobby. How about rereading the Quran? Maybe this time you’d see that your actions lie in contradiction to Islam, that your opposition towards Jews and non-Muslims goes against the practices of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

After all, was it not Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who proposed a constitution of coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims? Was it not the prophet who outlined a diverse community living in Medina, constructed to protect one another? What disjointed form of Islam have you been reading?

Ridhuan Tee, grow some social courage

This next point pertains to Ridhuan Tee, who has continued to propose that citizens unhappy in Malaysia pack their bags and leave. Well, that’s stupid. I think your comments show a lot about your social courage (or lack thereof).

According to Rubin, it is easy to criticise and ridicule something that maybe found popularly awkward. In other words, it’s easy to look at the increasing number of temples and churches in Malaysia and feel intimidated. Your natural reaction would be to antagonise.

It takes a lot more courage, however, to embrace these institutions as symbols for the beautiful diversity that is Malaysia. Ridhuan Tee, my advice would be to grow some social courage. Why not look at these colourful temples and grand churches with welcome?

You claim to defend Islam, but Islam itself promotes the learning of different customs and cultures. I guess it’s also important to bring up the term 'topper'. You are a 'topper', Tee, because you see yourself as a 'know-it-all'.

In your tone, in your unjustified confidence, you, Tee, forget that these citizens you want rid of are unhappy because they love this country. They want what’s best for the country. How dare you propose migration?

Learn to be Malaysian. Learn to take into account the opinions of your neighbours and learn to coexist towards a higher Malaysia. We are all born into different races and customs, but we must all work harder to be Malaysian.

One last thing. You seem to enjoy referring to Muhammad Ali, so here’s an Ali quote I think you might enjoy: “Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams - they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do - they all contain truths.”

I’ve tried my best to make this short letter absent of ridicule. My intentions truly are to help you both. I hope in the coming times you will continue to voice your views. Malaysia can only grow more mature by learning to accept your opinions, without the emotional backlash.   


SHAMIL NORSHIDI is president of Kelab Umno US East Coast and studies at Stony Brook University.