This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on October 14, 2019 - October 20, 2019

ALMOST immediately after the much-talked-about Malay Dignity Congress drew to a close, a poster proclaiming yet another gathering started floating on social media.

It is called a seminar though, not a congress, and it is about building a Malaysian race.

Guess what, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was not at the dignity do, will be attending the event that will be held at the end of the month, based on a smiling picture of him in baju Melayu in the poster. And it’s a given he will be delivering a speech. Anwar’s aide has confirmed that the PKR president will be going to the seminar.

It was earlier believed that Anwar’s no-show at the Malay Dignity Congress was because he was not invited. But he was later quoted as clarifying that he had received the invitation late and by then, he had committed to another event.

Word about the Bangsa Malaysia seminar and Anwar’s attendance drew a quick response, with talk that it is aimed at boosting his standing among all Malaysians as the event is not about any particular race.

Adding credence to such talk is that the seminar is being organised by pro-Anwar groups, including Abim, the Muslim youth movement he led in the 1970s.

“If this is the agenda pro-Anwar folks want to boost, it is certainly a positive one since it is a matter concerning not just this country but the world at present — the question of managing plurality,” says author and cultural activist Eddin Khoo.

Incidentally, Khoo is among the non-Malay participants at the seminar where he will be speaking about Malaysia as a cosmopolitan society in its essence and that its deepest wounds are historical and cultural.

Khoo says he will also talk about the country undergoing all the contradictions of racial politics and its manifestations today and the fact that it is unable to evolve with the reality of contending political ideologies.

“Our nation, a product of social and cultural engineering, is suffering from a backlash from its own realities,” he says.

The other speakers can be expected to address equally interesting issues. Against such a backdrop, this seminar can be seen as better than the one held earlier, which was exclusively Malay.

Says a political observer, “If — and it’s a big if — it is an attempt by Anwar’s people to counter the Malay Dignity Congress, it is a good thing. There must be a response to the congress, which was rooted in alleged fabrications, falsities and threats. To keep silent would be a mistake.”

Political analyst Prof Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid agrees that the Bangsa Malaysia symposium is preferable to the Malay Dignity Congress.

Nevertheless, he says, “The symposium is still dominated by Abim and ex-Abim affiliates” and it would be much better if more non-Muslim speakers were included.

Apart from Khoo, the other non-Muslim participants are Prof Dr Jayum Anak Jawan from Universiti Putra Malaysia and Ong Ewe Hock, the chairman of Institut Perniagaan Beretika Malaysia.

One political observer says it is “very telling that Abim is organising it” but thinks it is not necessary to have more non-Muslims taking part. To him, what is more important is “to showcase a block of Muslims who are building a new Malaysia free from the vitriol of Malay Malaysia”.

Apart from providing a platform for the exchange of ideas on the concept of peaceful coexistence among all races, it is noteworthy that the objectives of the seminar include the introduction of certain Islamic principles, according to the event brochure. As I see it, this could be a response of sorts to the PAS-Umno rhetoric on Islam, which was obviously aimed at addressing Malay-Muslim concerns. Hence, it is in line with the theme of the seminar.

The observer says “getting more non-Malay Muslims to participate in the seminar would see Anwar being accused of bringing in DAP elements”.

If we are talking domestic politics, then I would like to add that Anwar’s participation in the seminar could be welcomed by non-Malays but not by Malays, or a section of the community, even though the seminar will also be discussing Islamic principles, as mentioned earlier.

“Anwar ought to ensure he does not get drowned in the ocean of maruah Melayu, keep the debate going and make at least some segments of the Malays think and ponder. I do think there is a silent majority who share his views,” says the observer.

Anwar, like the seasoned politician he is, has been saying the right things so far, such as commenting that he sees nothing wrong in a non-Malay being finance minister. This is a direct response to one of the resolutions passed at the recent Malay Dignity Congress, which among other things, called on the government to reserve key cabinet posts and government positions for Malays. Anwar’s response fits nicely with the Bangsa Malaysia narrative.

He has also been saying the right things with regard to the premiership succession plan. Now he just needs his supporters to do the same — not only saying the right things but doing the right things as well.

Mohsin Abdullah is contributing editor at The Edge. He has covered politics for more than four decades.

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