51 years of Malaysia, and where are we?

NORMAN GOH

Sept 16, will mark the  nation’s 51st anniversary of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, by way of an agreement to form a ‘united nation’ of four entities – Peninsular Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.The island republic left us in 1965. Or, as some would insist, was expelled in that year.

More than half a century ago, our forefathers fought tirelessly to gain independence for Malaya, which was achieved back in 1957. And then came independence from British colonial rule for Sabah and Sarawak, which in 1963 joined with Malaya and Singapore to form Malaysia.

What have we become today?

It has been a great relief for me, after years of working in Singapore, to finally resettle back in Malaysia, after missing peers and of course, the Malaysian atmosphere.

Life in a developed country was rather different, despite it being just a Causeway over a narrow straits. I honestly felt Singaporeans were more ‘Malaysians’ than Malaysians themselves. Weird, but it is a bitter pill to swallow for some.

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 boasts about the lushnes of greenery in the country, forged by the multi-ethnic diversity of its people, welcoming tourists around the world with warmth. And all these despite the real situation in many parts of peninsular Malaysian being marred by a series of racial and religious intolerance. Be this in the urban or rural areas, the situation is felt throughout the country.

Major news dailies and portals too never cease to ‘detour’ from such sensational religious and racial spats in the country, giving much coverage to the various, so-called ‘defenders of faith and race’. After all, stirring emotions and sentiments of the people will annoy the ruling government, and get it to be on its toes at all times.

Gone are the days of the far-fetched stories of the early days of Malaysia, where people were jolly and a young nation like Malaysia was way ahead among her peers in the South-East Asian countries.

Fast forward to the year 2014, with barely six years to go to the year 2020 and the infamous Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Vision 2020, what have we achieved in order to become a fully developed nation? Socio-economic stability? Inclusive politics?

The nation seems to be more divided than ever during these hard times with countless politicians, activists, journalists and academicians hauled up to the court for sedition and various charges. Freedom of speech, as we stand for, is but all in vain as we turn backwards in our direction.

Threats to the very foundation of a nation

The failure to subdue the imminent threats to the nation has serious long-term effects to nation building; not from terrorism or militants, but from the divisive mentality and policies of various political parties and NGOs in the country.

The fact that the country was built by Malaysians in diversity, and the emergence of three different groups, namely radical conservatives, moderates and secessionists in East Malaysia, have taken a toll on the direction of the country.

Are we getting more and more divided than before? It is so, it seems. However, in my honest opinion, the Law of Nature will take its course in striking the equilibrium of a ‘bell curve’ of moderation.

Coming from the humble city of Kuching, I have known life in the East Malaysia to be far much different than what I see here in the peninsula.

And we have the message, “Sarawak for Sarawakians”, spreading throughout the state among Sarawakians, it is to ignite nationalists in the state to stand up against the divisiveness and racism that is so common in peninsular Malaysia.

With the Sarawak election looming around the corner and expected to be called next year, the election will be the first test for the state’s newly-minted Chief Minister Adenan Satem, even as he is widely expected to retain a stronger majority in Malaysia’s oldest state assembly.

With growing factionalism in the state Barisan Nasional, will the call of “Sarawak for Sarawakians” continue to echo among its people?

Disparity between the East and West Malaysia seems to be brewing since the general election last year. Incidents and events of racial and religious intolerance in West Malaysia have irked most East Malaysians, and have been likened to a ‘virus’ seeping into the state.

Growing dissatisfaction of these events have certainly contributed to the emergence of secessionists in Sabah and Sarawak.

Confucius in Analects 8:2 wrote: “The Master said, ‘Respectfulness, without the rules of propriety becomes labourious bustle; carefulness, without the rules of propriety, becomes timidity; boldness, without the rules of propriety, becomes insubordination; straightforwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness’.”

The only way to seal the bonds and break the differences is to adopt the principles of loyalty, filial piety, propriety and righteousness.

‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ – A way forward

‘Unity in Diversity’, literally translated from Indonesia’s national motto, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (in Javanese) should be a reflection for all of us as we celebrate 51 years as a nation.

The recently concluded United Nations Alliance of Civilisations Global Forum held in Bali, Indonesia, was a great eye opener to efforts made by many nations, like Malaysia even, in forging stronger inter-cultural and inter-religious understanding and dialogues. We are not alone in facing such racial and religious bigotry, after all.

Hate speech, religious and racial intolerance are among the global phenomenon as the world continues to drown in the turmoil of clashes and conflicts.

As we move ahead to the years to come, bridging our divided nation by supporting efforts of understanding is the way forward. And this begins with the simple acts of mutual respect, understanding and humility.

We live in a world of diversity, and so is Malaysia, a nation that proudly calls itself ‘Malaysia, Truly Asia’. A call, I would say, is also one to unite everyone under the umbrella of a sovereign nation we call home.

There will be those who will go against the efforts of equality and justice for all, belittling people of other races and of different faiths. The nature shall take its course, as the voice of ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ ignites the conscience of Malaysians to stand together once more in unity.

Happy Malaysia Day to all Malaysians! Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban!