SIBU: Malaysians from all walks of life are called to unite and show their solidarity for the country celebrating its National Day tomorrow.
Making the call, Trustee of 1Malaysia Foundation Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, stressed this was important amidst challenges besetting the nation internally and externally.
There is much to learn, he said, from the hardship and love for the country of the founding fathers of Malaysia led by first Prime Minister and Bapa Kemerdekaan (Father of Independence) Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj.
“I call upon all Malaysians irrespective of race and religion to unite and show our solidarity for the country we love. This is our birthplace, our home, our workplace and eventually, our final resting destination.
“We should be proud to identify ourselves as Malaysians for such identification fosters patriotism and develops unity. Being a Malaysian does not make anyone less a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban and others,” Lee said in a press statement emailed to thesundaypost here yesterday for the National Day celebration.
“If there is solidarity, moderation, selflessness and empathy in each and every Malaysian’s thoughts, emotions and actions, we can arrest the growing racial and religious polarisation in the country,” he pointed out.
“With the spirit of unity and respect for each other’s race and religion, we can together stop parties playing with the race card. We can even prevent extremism and religious bigotry.”
He noted the people facing challenges from increasing cost of living, escalating home prices, political quagmire and the 1MDB financial debacle on the back of racial and religious polarisation.
The persistent fall in the global oil price and impact of the weakening ringgit on imported goods and services, food, raw materials and building materials weigh on us, in addition to security threats in the east coast of Sabah, the MH17 tragedy and missing plane MH370.
Malaysians should be mindful that the growing divide along the lines of race and religion as well as extremism and bigotry can sow the seed for the downfall of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, Lee pointed out.
“However, all is not doom and gloom. The fate of the country rests on us, the rakyat. This is the best time for each of us to do self-reflection.
“We have the 1957 Merdeka spirit to build on to overcome multiple challenges. There is a lot to learn from the hardship and genuine love for the country of the founding fathers of Malaysia led by our first Prime Minister and Father of Independence Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj.
“We have to ensure that the country’s social cohesion and harmony painstakingly built and carefully nurtured over the years, which remains one of our cornerstones, is not threatened by any quarters.
“Respect for one another’s differences has been the hallmark of our multi-racial society. To heal a divided nation, people of all races must be concerned about its future, commit to the philosophy of moderation, embrace diversity and teach our children to integrate.
“We should build and cultivate values needed to maintain a harmonious multi-racial country for our future generation,” he emphasised.
It is the government’s responsibility to hear and consider the voices of rational Malaysians and use all resources at its disposal to address current issues, he said.
“The Merdeka spirit may be fading but together we can strengthen it. This is the time and moment, in conjunction with the country’s National Day, for us to open a new chapter in our history.
“With the 1957 Merdeka spirit as a foundation, we should work towards reconciliation to achieve racial and religious harmony. We need a paradigm shift and to be brave and innovative to chart the next course of history.”
To achieve this, Lee recalled the words of Tunku Abdul Rahman, architect of Malaya’s independence and formation of Malaysia, during the Proclamation of Independence on Aug 31, 1957: “Independence is indeed a milestone but it is only the threshold to high endeavour. I call upon you to dedicate yourselves, to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation.”