08/09/2025

MONDAY | SEPT 8, 2025

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Racism bigger threat than the pandemic T HE smoke over Gaza, the frozen trenches in Ukraine, the simmering tensions fracturing democracies – these are not COMMENT by Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim history into education is essential. Germany’s confrontation with the Holocaust, however imperfect, offers a useful template. America’s evasion of its foundational sins of slavery and indigenous genocide shows the cost of denial. means leaders who name racism clearly – even when it is politically uncomfortable – and who actively build governments, judiciaries and corporate boards that reflect the diversity of their populations, not as tokens, but as essential voices shaping policy.

trust and solidarity required for this. Why should nations, currently marginalised, trust dominant powers to lead a just transition? Why should populations grappling with racial injustice at home prioritise a global crisis when their basic dignity is denied? Racism does not just cause conflicts; it also makes existing ones infinitely more brutal and intractable. It justifies atrocity, entrenches divisions and makes reconciliation seem impossible. When the “other” is seen as fundamentally inferior or threatening, compromise becomes weakness and violence becomes righteous. It transforms political disputes into existential, zero-sum struggles. Racism corrodes the ethical foundations necessary for a functioning global society. It normalises hypocrisy – championing human rights while denying them based on origin. It erodes the rule of law when justice is applied selectively. This moral decay undermines every international institution and norm we rely on for stability. Calling for a “vaccine” is apt. We need more than band-aids; we need systemic interventions to build immunity and eradicate the pathogen. Where can the cure begin? Nations and communities must confront their racial histories with honesty. This is not about guilt but about understanding; it is about reparative justice, not just financial but also cultural and institutional. The integration of unvarnished

“Racism corrodes the ethical foundations necessary for a functioning global society. It normalises hypocrisy – championing human rights while denying them based on origin.

Leaders in dominant groups must hold their institutions and communities accountable, not just point fingers elsewhere. There is no quick “vaccine”. Eradicating racism demands a generational commitment, immense courage and a fundamental reimagining of power and belonging. It requires moving beyond the comfortable myth of incremental progress and confronting the malignant structures head-on. Ignoring this malignancy while focusing solely on climate or economics is like trying to build a fireproof house while ignoring the arsonist living inside. Racism is the firestarter in the tinderbox of our global challenges. Until we treat it with the urgency and radical commitment it demands – pursuing truth, justice, systemic change and courageous leadership – our efforts to solve any other global crisis will remain fractured, fragile and ultimately futile. The path out of this malaise is arduous but it is the only path towards a future where humanity survives and perhaps even thrives together. Malaysia is no exception! ProfDatuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an associate fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Racism is encoded in laws, economic structures, policing, housing and healthcare. Fighting it requires concerted policy dismantlement and reconstruction. This means robust enforcement, independent oversight and severe penalties for systemic violations as well as mandatory, transparent assessments of racial impact on all major legislations, budgeting and institutional practices. It should include targeted investment in historically marginalised communities – education, healthcare, infrastructure and business capital – to address centuries of deliberate disinvestment. Racism is a transnational force. Fighting it requires transnational solutions. Empower bodies like the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with sharper investigative teeth and enforcement mechanisms. Make crimes against humanity driven by racial hatred a universal priority for prosecution. Develop frameworks for targeted sanctions against leaders and institutions actively perpetuating systemic racial oppression. Support and amplify anti-racist movements across borders, sharing strategies and resources, and applying diplomatic pressure. We desperately need leaders who don’t just avoid racism but also actively rise above it and dismantle it. This

isolated tragedies; they are symptoms of a deep and increasingly virulent disease: racism. It now rivals climate change as a global threat, a chilling recognition of reality. Climate change imperils our physical world. Racism, unchecked, can destroy the very fabric of human cooperation necessary to save it. It is the ultimate self-sabotage, a poison in the well of collective survival. The assertion that racism fuels these conflicts is not mere rhetoric. In Gaza, decades of occupation are underpinned by ideologies that systematically dehumanise Palestinians. This dehumanisation provides the psychological fuel for indiscriminate violence and the political justification for collective punishment. In Ukraine, it is also not much different. Racism is not just about skin colour; it is about constructing hierarchies of human worth based on ethnicity, nationality, religion or caste and wielding power to enforce them. It is a pandemic, one that has infected human societies for millennia but whose current mutations are lethally potent in our interconnected, weaponised world. Climate change demands unprecedented global cooperation – sharing technology, financing adaptation and accepting shared sacrifice. Racism actively destroys the A RECENT case in Malaysia highlights a troubling trend in modern healthcare. Some patients are beginning to place more trust in artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT than in medical professionals. In this incident, a patient visited a clinic demanding specific antibiotics and injections, insisting on the exact treatment suggested by ChatGPT. He even refused to pay the consultation fee, claiming he already knew what he needed. But medicine is never that straightforward. Safe and effective treatment requires careful history-taking, physical examination and clinical judgement. However, currently, no algorithms can fully replicate these aspects. The physician suspected a contagious infection that required not only treatment for the patient but also for his close contacts to prevent further spread. The patient, however, dismissed these professional concerns and relied solely on AI’s narrow recommendations. This incident reflects a worrying trend. AI has quickly become a popular tool for people seeking quick health answers. With just a few clicks, users can ask AI about symptoms, treatments and even medications. While this convenience is tempting, it also comes with serious risks that deserve attention. AI can certainly provide general health information. It can explain common symptoms, suggest possible causes or offer lifestyle tips. However, it cannot diagnose with nuance, interpret subtle signs or understand the complexity of an individual’s medical history. COMMENT by Dr Wu Shin Ling

Dangerous new trend of AI self-diagnosis

Moreover, AI’s accuracy depends heavily on the quality of information entered. Without the depth of a proper clinical assessment, it remains incomplete and can be potentially misleading. In reality, most users only enter surface level information and obvious symptoms, which can easily misguide AI. The danger is that such limited advice can still feel convincing. This creates a dangerous illusion of certainty, where patients believe they have clear answers when in fact they may be overlooking serious conditions. When users rely too heavily on AI, they risk overlooking serious conditions, delaying necessary medical attention or attempting self-medication without proper guidance. In health matters, small details often make a big difference. These details are usually not captured by AI without a professional examination. It is important to emphasise that AI itself is not the enemy. When used wisely, it can support patients in learning about health conditions, preparing questions before a clinic visit or gaining a clearer understanding of medical terminology. However, AI should be seen as a supportive tool, not a substitute for professional expertise. Relying solely on AI for treatment carries real risks such as misdiagnosis, wrong medication, delayed care and even the spread of preventable diseases. As technology advances, more people may be tempted to use it for quick answers but health is never one-size-fits-all. Currently, no algorithm can replace the safety, accuracy and compassion of qualified healthcare professionals. As technology advances, more patients may be tempted to use AI for quick answers.

Safe and effective treatment requires careful history-taking, physical examination and clinical judgement. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ MOHD DIN/THE SUN

But the public must remember that your health is too valuable to be left in the hands of an algorithm. Use AI to ask better questions, not to bypass medical professionals.

DrWu Shin Ling is from the Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, School of Psychology, Sunway University. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com