Thursday May 9, 2013

Lam Thye: Set up council to work on national unity

KOTA KINABALU: A social activist has called for the setting up of a council to look into issues and problems relating to national unity and racial integration.

1Malaysia Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the panel should comprise representatives of interested groups or individuals who could offer suggestions on how to bring the nation together after what he described as a heated and bitterly contested general election.

“The immediate task of all political leaders and strata of society is to stop the drift towards racial polarisation,’’ he said yesterday.

Lee said what Malaysia needed at this point of time was “ethnic bridge builders instead of ethnic heroes”.

“We need such people to neutralise the politics of hatred, racial polarisation and racial exclusiveness that seems to be on the rise.

“It is now time for Malaysians to take a stand against divisive forces that can tear apart our social fabric and cause disunity,’’ he said.

Lee noted that a multi-racial society was part of the nation’s history and heritage.

“It was a key source of racial integration for years and has certainly played a part in making Malaysia a harmonious place to live, learn, work and play.

“The elections are now over and the people have spoken through the ballot box,’’ said Lee, who called for a stop to provocative and divisive statements.

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