THE struggle to champion moderation is never easy, as the G25 can attest from its journey to restore public composure and a balance of thoughts to protect societal harmony.
The movement originally consisted of retired high-ranking Malay civil servants, including a former ministry secretary-general, former judges, and former ambassadors, among others. And it remains true to its objective even after a decade since its inception in 2014 by 25 of its original members.
One of its co-founders, Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Kassim, says G25 was formed to promote, among others, multiculturalism, multiracial unity, and institutional reforms, as well as the teachings of Islam that emphasise moderation on the heels of religious zealotry turning up in pockets around the country.
Mohd Sherrif, who was a former secretary-general of the Finance ministry, points out that G25 uses its platform to encourage discussions for the overall betterment of Malaysia and is never belligerent in its approach, as exemplified by the statements it has issued over the years. It also organises talks and debates.
Last week, the movement launched a book titled G25 Statements (2014-2023), a compilation of 185 statements the group has made in public throughout the years.
Making a stand: Mohd Sheriff as well as (below) Dr Narimah and Mohd Hishamudin point out that G25 is all about prompting discussion for the betterment of society. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
“Frankly speaking, we only respond depending on the situation. We don’t make plans on how many statements we want to issue in a year.
“We promote multiculturalism and multiracial unity, if we see someone is coming out with a statement which will likely affect racial harmony, religious tolerance, and the economy [we will respond]. We don’t take sides,” Mohd Sheriff says.
Striving for good governance
G25 first came to the public’s notice on Dec 7, 2014, when it sent an open letter to then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak urging for a rational dialogue on the position of Islam and Islamic law in a constitutional democracy, following the rise of supremacist movements and the practice of some religious bodies that had appeared to be asserting authority beyond their jurisdictions.
G25 member Datuk Dr Narimah Awin, who was a senior policymaker at the Health ministry, says the open letter was sent because of the palpable religious intolerance that was arising.
“Our first letter was sent to Najib, when he was the prime minister, in December 2014. What made us unhappy was that Islamisation in the country was going the wrong way.
“It was going through extremism, many things that we did not feel was right for the country. So we started this to bring back moderate Islam.
“At that time, we were not responding to anything. We were highlighting our concerns,” she says.
Dr Narimah says that it is G25’s mission to preserve the original ideals of Malaysia, as inspired by first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
“Anything that touches on the vision of how Malaysia should be, we will respond to it. In other words, we want good governance.
“So when somebody makes a statement as an example of good governance, we will praise and agree with them. Otherwise, if it is anti-good governance, anti-tolerance, we will criticise.”
Dr Narimah
And the statements made are done with tact, so as not to worsen the situation.
“Of course, Mohd Sheriff will ask for our consensus for statements expected to come out in the media, on whether we want to respond to the matter or otherwise.
“There was a case where we did not reach a consensus and in the end, we didn’t issue the statement. If our response will not contribute to the betterment of society, it is better for us to keep quiet.”
A neutral movement
Another G25 member, former appellate court judge Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus, says it is important to note that the movement is non-partisan and advocates for the betterment of society.
“We touch on issues affecting society, good governance, the fight against corruption, transparency, and upholding the Constitution. We are non-partisan. A neutral body.”
Mohd Hishamudin
Mohd Sheriff says accusations have been made by some Islamic groups that G25 is influenced by Western ideals and is a “liberal” affront to religious values.
“Some of the groups think that we are trying to be secular, influenced by Western ideas.”
G25 is not unaccustomed to facing threats made by groups rattled by its statements.
In 2015, it issued a statement about the threats lobbed at one of its founding members, retired diplomat Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, over her take on the issue of khalwat laws during a press conference.
Noor Farida was G25’s de facto spokesperson in its early years.
“We wish to emphasise the statement made was merely an illustration of our stand against moral policing.
“G25 will work towards making Malaysia a model for the world as a moderate, harmonious and progressive Islamic multicultural democracy and a beacon of tolerance,” G25 said in response then.
Mohd Hishamudin stresses that there needs to be a better understanding of the concept of “being liberal”, instead of solely associating the term with negative connotations.
“Being liberal is not a crime. It doesn’t mean that you are free to break the law.”
Aspiring reforms
Dr Narimah wishes for more progress in the country’s institutional reforms but gives the current administration credit for its efforts in the matter.
For instance, she points to the increase in parliamentary select committees to oversee various matters, from finance, health, and security, to human rights.
“We wish there was more progress, but certainly it’s not zero. A good example is the parliamentary select committees, there are more today.”
However, Dr Narimah says the progress does not appear to be balanced.
“To make one progressive amendment, they made five regressive amendments, which is a step backward. And they remain slow at addressing political funding.
“Yes, there has been progress, but not fast enough.”
When it comes to the people’s state of unity, Hishamudin calls for the government to step in and relook the establishment of the National Harmony Act.
In October 2018, under the Pakatan Harapan administration, then National Unity minister P. Waytha Moorthy announced plans to seek public feedback for a new National Harmony Bill, but the initiative was halted when the government fell in 2020.
Says Mohd Hishamudin: “After so many years of independence, racial polarisation remains. It is sad. We should be moving forward but I think we are just stagnant or getting worse.
“I think the government must step in with a law. The National Harmony Act is long overdue. It is needed to address occurrences like extremism, which tends to incite either in terms of race or religion.
“We need such a law, we need to enforce such a law. At the same time, its enforcement must be fair and not selective. The government needs to play a positive role in this regard.”
G25's Book Launch and Forum on Institutional Reforms and the Federal Constitution for a Better Malaysia by Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz (third from left). From left Datuk Dr Narimah Awin, Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim and Datuk Seri Hishamudin Yunus. 一CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
