COMMENT | In his message on the eve of Merdeka Day, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim lamented how racial rhetoric has been weaponised to sideline Putrajaya’s efforts at bettering the people’s welfare.

“Every time there is an appointment, every time there is a new initiative, every time there is a new bill, racial issues are raised,” he said.

The problem has “graduated” from innocent racial slurs in banter to full-blown religious zealotry. It is the oldest play in the book. Politicians have long stoked division with racist and religious diatribes.

Anwar’s speech changes nothing. The public hears a warning and asks: What are the consequences?