Tuesday November 7, 2006
Success story of unity in diversity
PETALING JAYA: Several political leaders said Malaysia’s multi-ethnicity is unique and that being united is the formula of the country’s success.
MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the people should be talking about the spirit of Rakyat Malaysia, and added:”Our freedom to practise our respective cultures, beliefs and religions is en-shrined in the Constitution. The question of assimilation of any one race into another does not arise at all.”
Citing the Barisan Nasional as a prime example of “unity in diversity”, Dr Chua said it was a fact that Malaysian political parties – ruling or opposition – were still based on a racial basis.
Dr Chua said no race should have a monopoly of everything and every Malaysian had a right to participate in the country’s development.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Johor Umno chief Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman need not worry about the creation of a Bangsa Malaysia as unity among people of different races was more important.
Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam said the Bangsa Malaysia concept did not imply a “rojak” of races, but would strengthen national unity. He said the concept did not make one any less a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban or a Kadazan.
Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang described Abdul Ghani’s remarks as “unMalaysian” and not in line with the Vision 2020 concept.
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