Divided we stand, united we fall

Malaysians must change our mentality from one that is racial to one that is national.

COMMENT

By Marion Tharsis

Tun Mahathir Mohamad our former long-serving Prime Minister commented recently that there is no chance we will ever see a united, non-racial Malaysia.

Well, as long as the government promotes and supports a policy of divide and rule and grants special favours and rights to only a certain community, then Mahathir is probably right.

During his tenure in office as an absolute authority, Mahathir implemented policies to further alienate and separate the various communities.

In his recent comments, he made references to the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand, pointing out that the people of various races there have local names and observe local culture, thereby bringing about a greater sense of unity.

However, little does he realise that our immediate neighbour, Singapore did not resort to such measures in order to progress and become a world recognised business centre. Singapore has harnessed its pool of talent and expertise irrespective of race or colour to achieve great success.

So also, other Western and developed countries who have made great strides with their liberal and non-racial policies to allow minority communities to hold high positions in national policy-making entities and mega business conglomerates.

Therefore, progress and unity is achievable and one does not have to change one’s name, identity or even denounce his or her religion to show loyalty to the nation and be a full-blooded Malaysian.

Malaysia claims to be truly Asia in appearance only but deep down, it keeps working towards a divided and segregated local environment.

In golf, the handicap given to new and upcoming players is slowly reduced and eventually removed as players improve in the game.

However in this country, the handicap in the form of special privileges and preferences, is given to the largest community, and keeps increasing (instead of reducing) despite so much time having been allocated to improve and prosper.

Some ‘damage’ has clearly been done when we see communities grouping together within their respective ethnic groups rather than mixing freely with others.

In neighbourhoods, though we live in peaceful co-existence, we remain “isolated” from one another.

When our present Prime Minister announced his bold 1Malaysia plan, there seemed some hope for positive change, but it was shot down by his own party.

The million dollar question is, when can we achieve a non-racial, united Malaysia?

Perhaps, when we change the government?

We need a government willing to be brave enough to support a multi-racial structure in the implementation and management of national policies.

Perhaps then, we can slowly change our mindset.

Perhaps then, we can rid ourselves of our racial mentality and be more willing to embrace a national mentality.