Moving from identity politics to citizenship politics

In Malaysia, everyday acts of kindness and unity amongst neighbours are a testament to the nation's resilience. However, political machinations are working to undermine this peace. Human beings possess a multitude of loyalties, yet political systems often reduce this complexity to a single identity. The philosopher Amartya Sen coined the term "miniaturisation" to describe how individuals are deliberately categorized into tribal boxes, erasing their multifaceted identities.

This process can be seen in contemporary Malaysia, particularly through the majoritarian identity strategies of political parties. A recent example was the PAS muktamar, where a motion was passed to strengthen Malay Muslim political unity ahead of the next election. While there's nothing morally wrong with calling for Muslim unity, there's a risk of creating a sense of paranoia and division within the nation.

Political actors often weaponise group feeling to create an invisible, suffocating circle around the nation. This manufactured fear crowds out rational and ethical concerns, replacing them with adrenaline-fueled tribal survival. The fragile middle ground, where different cultures coexist peacefully, is threatened by this exclusive identity politics.

It forces citizens into a zero-sum game, demanding that they view their neighbours as adversaries rather than fellow human beings. Unity for an exclusive group always requires an "out-group" to define itself against. The long-term cost of this division is deeply corrosive, as a country cannot split its soul down demographic or religious lines without weakening its institutional backbone.

Malaysia finds itself at a crossroads, with the choice between defending the middle ground and succumbing to the seductive trap of exclusive affiliations. True political maturity requires stepping away from the politics of paranoia and protecting the fragile unity that holds the nation together.