By Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Member of Unity Advisory Council
KOTA KINABALU: As we commemorate HARI MALAYSIA or MALAYSIA DAY today (Sept 16 2024), let us all strive to bring Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsula Malaysia closer together in the spirit of regional integration and national unity.
Malaysia Day has been declared a public holiday in our national calendar, which is of great significance. As a matter of fact, Malaysia Day should rightly be called UNITY DAY.
Since 16th September 1963 was the day that Sabah and Sarawak joined with the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia, the commemoration of Malaysia Day helps to underscore the significance of regional and ethnic integration as well as unity.
As we commemorate the 61st anniversary of the formation of Malaysia and the 67th year of Malaya’s Independence Day, it is imperative for all of us to reflect on our efforts and sacrifices in nation-building and identify our strengths and weaknesses.
Nation-building is no easy task. It is fraught with challenges and is a long process that requires good and strong leadership, understanding, hard work, sacrifice, and commitment, as well as unity.
It is occasions such as the Malaysia Day celebrations that enable Malaysians to rekindle their patriotic spirit, which is most crucial in the building of unity in a multi-racial nation like ours.
Unity is the bond that seals our nationhood. It is the foundation upon which we build relationships, families, communities, and a nation.
Malaysia Day celebrations should be a unifying force to bring people of diverse races from Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah together for a common goal and for the success of the country.
SABAH and SARAWAK are practical and visible examples of unity in diversity where Malaysians of diverse ethnic groups are able to live, learn, work, and play together in the spirit of unity and national integration.
I always believe that being a Malaysian does not make anyone less a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban, etc. Malaysians should start accepting each other as Malaysians regardless of race and religion and should be proud to identify themselves first as Malaysians, for such identification fosters patriotism and develops unity.
Although ethnic relations in the country are generally satisfactory, we must certainly not take our inter-racial and inter-religious harmony for granted.
Malaysians of different ethnic origins must always be conscious of the need to have mutual respect for one another.
They must always remain vigilant and be conscious of the sensitivities of our respective religions and cultures for the sake of inter-racial harmony.
The process of establishing a united Malaysian nation is a continuous one, and what has been achieved so far must be nurtured and reinforced.
Unity is a priceless gift and a symbol of our humanity. It is the foundation upon which we build relationships, families, communities, and a nation. It is the bond that seals our nationhood.
Unity must first start with the individual. If there is unity in a person’s thoughts, emotions, and actions, it will be reflected in how they treat others.
Many people are taking unity for granted. This is not a healthy development, for in a multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural country like Malaysia, continuous efforts must be made by all Malaysians to nurture and reinforce unity.
Let us include every Malaysian in the building of unity. We must start speaking with one voice, one that is inclusive of Malaysians of every ethnic background. We all contribute to the stability and economic prosperity of his country. Let us all be committed to promoting a culture of peace, harmony, and unity.
The Rukunegara is our guide for nation-building and should be respected by all. It is a shared vision for national unity. Its principles should always be upheld and practiced, for we must never take for granted the stability, peace, and harmony we have attained so far.
