Don't jeopardise our unity

All Malaysians including politicians must be fully conscious of the sensitivities in a multiracial and multi religious country like ours and should refrain from utterances which will jeopardise the inter-racial harmony which has been built so for.

The latest furore emanating from a very highly insensitive, derogatory and inappropriate remark by an Umno politician on the Malaysian Chinese describing them as “squatters” is a case in point.

It is highly regrettable that such an offensive remark was made while we are in the midst of our 51st Merdeka Anniversary celebrations where the Prime Minister called on all Malaysians to give importance to unity and solidarity which is the comerstone of Malaysia’s political stability.

Inter-racial harmony and unity are of paramount importance in a multi-ethnic society like ours. Malaysia was forged out of diversity and through the spirit of give and take, compromise and consensus.

The Federal Constitution which guarantees the rights of the various ethnic groups as well the Rukunegara are the guide for nation building and have been accepted by all Malaysians since we attained independence fifty-one years ago.

Every Malaysian should be fully committed to preserving harmony and unity and politicians from both sides of the political divide should set good examples in this regard.

Relentless efforts must be made by everyone to promote a culture of peace, harmony and unity.

Peace, harmony and unity are much needed commodities in every part of the world and Malaysia is no exception.

The work of fostering unity is a continuing process, it should also start from the schools beginning from kindergarten to primary, secondary and tertiary institutions of learning where efforts should be made to instill the values of harmony and unity.

The Education Ministry should expand the scope of the ‘Morals’ subject to incorporate lessons on unity and racial integration among students of diverse races.

Unity is also a question of attitude. It comes from within oneself and from the heart despite all said. Unity cannot be achieved through legislation, it has to come voluntarily.

I wish to call on the government to take steps to introduce social and unity impact assessment studies on major policies and development projects as recommended by the NECC II in its report to the government.

Major policy issues and development projects must be studied to ensure that they benefit the nation in terms of forging unity among the diverse races other than achieving their objectives.