Wars cannot solve problems

By LIM MUN FAH
Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE

No matter whether the move of handing over Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) leader Mas Selamat Kastari to Singapore a hidden agreement of the solution for the Singapore-Malaysia rail station dispute, it has been seen as one of the signs of a harmonious relation between Malaysia and Singapore.

Mas Selamat has been accused of plotting to hijack a plane and crash it into Singapore Changi Airport and was arrested under the Singapore's Internal Security Act in 2001. Unexpectedly, he staged a dramatic escape from a high-security prison in the city-state on 27 February 2008. He was then arrested by Malaysia police on April 1 last year after he was found hiding in Johor. His detention period should end in April next year but he was suddenly released early.

Leaving the speculations aside, both Malaysia and Singapore are well aware that even though the most dangerous terrorist in the region has lost his personal freedom, terrorism is still threatening the region as there are still many terrorists like Mass Selamat lurking around somewhere. We can never know when they would launch terrorist attacks and cause the loss of life.

It is because after the 911 terrorist attacks, a series of counter-terrorism operations launched by the United States have failed to make the world more peaceful, but created the best chance for the terrorists to recruit new warriors and spread terrorism all over the world, causing the whole world busy fighting for the United States.

In fact, the United States has not really tried to understand why some people in some Islamic states actually sang and danced in joy after the 911 terrorist attacks caused the death of more than 3000 people. Similarly, the Muslim world is unable to understand why the Western world seemed indifferent when tens and thousands of Iraqi civilians, including unarmed women and children, killed by the United States air strikes.

The consequences for such cognitive differences are very frightening. They have made the Western and the Muslim worlds not understand each other and caused them to launch a vicious cycle under a belief that they represent truth and justice while the other party represents evil and terrorism.

Historically, Islam has made great contributions to civilisation and portrayed the most tolerant society in the world. Why is it leaving a terrorist impression to the world today while Western countries claim themselves the messenger of civilisation and the guardian of peace?

Obviously, cultural differences have caused too many contradictions and misunderstandings in the world. They have also given rise to too much hatred and too many conflicts.

History teaches us that wars cannot solve problems. Only by finding the core values for peaceful coexistence among different religions, terrorist acts in the world can be reduced and the possibility of real peace can be achieved!

Sin Chew Daily