Unity Benefits Malaysia

By Erda Khursyiah Basir KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- It is not easy for people of different races, faiths and beliefs to live together in peace and harmony. However, Malaysians can say with pride that not only have they accomplished that, they are united in many other fronts as well. Their ability to embrace each other’s culture, languages and beliefs does not only provide for security and stability but brings many other benefits to the country as well. “This is something we have that is not found in any other country,” said Dr Hairol Anuar Mak Din, a senior lecturer at the Department of Nationhood and Civilisation Studies at the Selangor International Islamic University College (KUIS). He believed that sowing and nurturing unity should be a collective responsibility and not that of the government’s alone. Malaysians can do this by being more open towards one another and pushing aside potential stumbling blocks towards unity efforts. “How many of us have friends from different races and religions? Take a look at our phone’s contact list or the friends' list on our social media accounts. “How many of us know about the taboos and beliefs of other races and ethnic groups in Malaysia? These are among the things we need to know to understand each other better,” he said. Hairol Anuar said the “racially segregated” primary and secondary school systems make universities the best medium to sow understanding on the importance of ethnic relations in Malaysia. Youths should be taught that as part of a multi-ethnic society, they needed to complement each other. He added that the kind of unity exhibited among Malaysians could even be used as a unique selling point to attract international tourists over so that they could see and experience it for themselves. PROTECT WHAT WE HAVE Naznur Farahani Md Yusof, a Perdana Fellow at the National Unity and Integration Department who spoke during the dialogue opined that the methods and reasons that Malaysians today unite might be different than the time when the country achieved its independence 62 years ago. Back then, the people were united by the fiery desire to free their country from colonial powers and achieve independence. “Today, the reasons we unite might be a little different, but it is still as important to preserve the peace and harmony that we are enjoying by remaining united regardless of race, religion or even age. We need to protect what we have,” she said at the dialogue. Naznur Farahani, who is also the University of Malaya student leader, said that the youths, in particular, should utilise social media as a medium to foster interracial unity. She said that with technology now at the tip of their fingers, youths today could find many ways to work together to form a better and more mature Malaysia for the sake of the country’s prosperity. “We are lucky to be born into a world of technology. The availability of social media means that we do not have to struggle as much as the previous generations did (in reaching out to one another). It is like a gift, so we need to use it wisely and to invite others to good. “With social media, whatever we share has the potential to reach every part of the world. If we share good things, we will get good in return and if we spread hatred, it will adversely affect unity in our country as well,” she said. She said that carefully worded messages on social media could contribute to better harmony among the races. It could also help correct stereotypes against certain races. “There are those among us who like to take their anger towards someone out on social media and generalise an entire race in the process. We shouldn’t let one rotten apple spoil the whole barrel. “Our choice of words is sometimes the root of the problem. If only we were more sensitive, understanding of our role and respectful towards one another, it would make preserving interracial relation that much easier,” she said. THE MEANING OF UNITY Meanwhile, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM, a public Malaysian university) medical graduate Shangkaree Nadarajan believed that today’s generation did not have a problem in fostering unity. In fact, she believed that interracial unity was especially strong among them. She said this was because they could work, eat and drink together and share various things with one another without a problem. However, certain politicians who did not understand nor were appreciative of the interracial friendship dynamics among youths tended to sow discord among them – often for political mileage. “We don’t need to harm on the term “to foster unity” any longer because today’s generation understands this all too well. We practice this in many aspects. In entertainment, for example, there is no segregation. We understand the concept of unity so well that we have become colour-blind. We pay no heed to our differences. “Some politicians, however, like to play the race and religion card and use it to sow discord. This is what has been driving a wedge between us and we need to put a stop to it,” she said. The founder of the G25 group of former civil servants Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim said society needed to heed youths and hear them out. “Our role is as a guide who is ever willing to listen, in case they would like to seek out the benefit of our experiences,” said Mohd Sheriff, who is also the former managing director of Khazanah Nasional Berhad At the same time, he urged the younger generation to hold more activities for all races to participate in that could nurture the spirit of unity, such as debates. “Give them the room and opportunity to speak out. Their opinions might be different and we may not agree with everything they say but we may find the best solutions from it,” he said, adding that debates on political issues could help improve the knowledge and maturity of youths. Translated by Sakina Mohamed -- BERNAMA