'This Raya, ponder on Apa Lagi Malaysia Mau?'

Veteran politician Lim Kit Siang has urged Malaysians of all races to reflect on the question "Apa lagi Malaysia Mau?" during this festive season.

"This is the time for national reflection by all Malaysians who love this country and who have no intention to migrate to another country how to make Malaysia more united, harmonious, resilient, developed and prosperous for all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation," he said in his Hari Raya message.

Lim pointed out that recent events had given rise to valid and legitimate concerns about the success of Malaysia as a nation.

"Immediately after the recent 13th general election, Utusan Malaysia bannered a front-page headline: 'Apa Lagi Cina Mau?'
                
"This question should not have been asked, just as questions like 'Apa Lagi Melayu Mau?', 'Apa Lagi India Mau?', 'Apa Lagi Kadazan Mau?' or 'Apa Lagi Dayak Mau?'

"It may be understandable for such questions to be asked in the first decade of nationhood, but something is very wrong when such questions are asked in the sixth decade of nationhood," he added.    
The right question, according to Lim, should be "Apa Lagi Malaysia Mau?"

"And the answer would include good governance; successful battle against corruption in public life; public safety and low crime; economic justice, progress and prosperity for all and a world-class educational system from primary, secondary to university levels.

"Something is very wrong in Malaysian nation-building with the recurrence of national controversies from jibes like 'Balik Cina', 'Balik India' or even 'Balik Indonesia'," he added.