KLANG: Malaysia must maintain its stature as one of the world’s most peaceful countries at all costs, say civil society advocates.
Most importantly, the country must steer clear of anything that could raise a situation similar to what is happening in London and several other places in Britain.
And to ensure continued peace and co-existence, there are certain aspects that Malaysians must zealously protect and adhere to.
“Ignore the racist politicians as we, the people, know that a peaceful co-existence is the way forward,’’ said environmentalist Dr Maketab Mohamed.
Founding director of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Ethnic Studies Prof Datuk Dr Shamsul Baharuddin said Malaysians are always willing to bargain, negotiate and mediate differences, and this is why the country has managed to remain peaceful with violence never being an option after the 1969 open conflict.
“We must accept the reality that community grievances continue to exist, but we always find ways and means to solve them amicably,’’ he added.
Nusantara Strategic Research Academy senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said Malaysia has politicians who like using 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues to gain political mileage, but unlike in Britain, they do not provoke anti-immigrant sentiments here.
“I think it should be kept that way (not using anti-immigrant sentiments). We have to be very careful as we have many immigrants here such as political or economic immigrants,’’ he added.
He said the people should keep a check on politicians in Malaysia, especially those who like to use the 3R issues, to ensure that they do not bring up matters that could wreak havoc.
Social media influencer Ilzujuhan Hamzah said the spirit of unity must be inculcated from a very young age.
“Children should not be segregated based on race or religion because if they are separated at such an informative and impressionable age, it would be difficult to rectify problems related to the matter when they are older,’’ said Ilzujuhan.
He added that the various community initiatives being rolled out by the government, such as the Madani Afiat, Madani Rakyat and Jelajah Madani programmes, are suitable platforms to maintain race relations and strengthen national unity.
He noted that the onus is also on the people to respect and understand the Rukunegara, as the principles enshrined in it propagate togetherness as a nation.
“Unfortunately, many only know how to recite it mechanically without understanding the context and message,’’ he added.
Ilzujuhan said the National Unity Ministry should look into formulating more programmes that explore the theme of unity in diversity.
“We are different, yet we are the same people belonging to the same nation,” said Ilzujuhan, who is guardian to his 13-year-old co-influencer C. Sugumaran.
Michael Tong Wai Siong, 55, who took three young Malay orphans into his home and raised them as his own 16 years ago, concurred with Ilzujuhan.
“The government has done much to inculcate national unity, but more needs to be done, especially in schools,’’ said Tong, whose adopted sons Rafie Ahmad Fauzi, Rasyid and Abdul Rahman are now 29, 28 and 24 respectively.
According to Tong, there must be more effort to expose children to the nation’s diverse and varied cultures so that they would grow to understand and respect each other’s differences.
“Subjects such as Civics must be given more depth so that students will be educated on matters related to our diversity,’’ he said.
He also believed schools and institutions of higher learning should hold field trips for students to learn about other cultures.Both Ilzujuhan and Tong were responding to Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah’s statement that Malaysia had been recognised as a multicultural success story.
