While Malaysians condemn the bombings and killings in Manchester, Mindanao and Jakarta, we must not allow the country to slide towards greater intolerance and extremism because of racial and religious politics of lies, hate and fear

Malaysians condemn the bombings and killings in Manchester, Mindanao and Jakarta but we must learn the lessons of these tragedies and horrors – we must not allow Malaysia to slide towards greater intolerance and extremism because of the racial and religious politics of lies, hate and fear.

Yesterday, Selangor DAP central committee member Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof lodged a police report over the death threats made against him on a hate-and-damn-DAP Facebook page.

As Edry said yesterday, differences in opinion are part of a healthy democracy, but not when it leads to extremists conjuring falsehoods and threatening a person’s safety.

He said: “We celebrate the freedom to hold differing opinions as long as it is not extreme to the extent of slandering and threatening the safety of another individual.

“I am confident that each Malaysian wants a life that is good and peaceful. The culture of thuggish politics, slander, and violent intimidation only worsens the poor conditions in our country.

“Such bad culture should be put to a stop.”

A day had passed but such irresponsible post threatening death and bodily harm to Edry and the hate-and-damn-DAP Facebook page “DAP Laknatullah” (Allah damns DAP) are not only still available, there is a new post mocking Edry for lodging the police report.

Imagine what would have happened if there is website entitled “UMNO Laknatullah” (Allah damns UMNO) carrying postings which were downright lies about UMNO leaders as well as carrying deaths threats to UMNO leaders, and there is a police report against them?