Forging a unity that transcends tolerance

The words of the founding fathers, in every country, often form the bedrock from which the nation is built. Even as we make great progress in the name of development, the overarching theme of what constitutes our nation remains sacrosanct.

The Star

MERDEKA. Seven times this word was shouted out by Tunku Abdul Rahman, with his right arm raised, on that auspicious day of Aug 31, 1957.

And seven times the crowd roared back, “Merdeka!”

It has been 56 years since that day and many of these initial moments in our nation’s history are long since forgotten.

If one were to do a quick survey, not many would get the answer right if asked how many times the Tunku shouted Merdeka that morning.

And how many would know who were the Rulers gathered on the podium, or who represented the British monarch to hand over the instruments of independence to our first prime minister?

What about the Proclamation of Independence and the historic words that heralded the birth of our nation?

Among other things, the Tunku acknowledged that our life as an independent nation was blessed from the beginning because we inherited, from the coloniser, strong foundations like “justice before the law, the legacy of an efficient public service and the highest standard of living in Asia.”

But the Tunku was mindful that the road ahead would be tough, reminding us that “Independence is indeed a milestone, but it is only the threshold to high endeavour – the creation of a new and sovereign State.”

He declared, “At this solemn moment therefore, I call upon you all to dedicate yourselves to the service of the new Malaya: to work and strive with hand and brain to create a new nation, inspired by the ideals of justice and liberty – a beacon of light in a disturbed and distracted world.”

The words of the founding fathers, in every country, often form the bedrock from which the nation is built. Even as we make great progress in the name of development, the overarching theme of what constitutes our nation remains sacrosanct.

If we are to forge ahead with confidence, we must recognise all the good things that have been done in these past 56 years, and how our unique multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural nation not only survived but blossomed to what it is today.

But nothing can and should be taken for granted. Where we have faltered, for example, in areas like ethnic and religious relations, let us make the necessary moves to bring things back on course.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in his Merdeka Day message, rightfully reminded us that the people must remain united to defend the sovereignty of Malaysia.

“Whatever challenges there are, we must not despair.

“We must move forward to develop the country based on national solidarity,” he said.

This year’s theme, “My Sovereign Malaysia: My Homeland”, reminds us that this is our home.

“We were born in our homeland Malaysia, we grew up in our homeland Malaysia, we make a living in our homeland Malaysia, and God willing, we will be buried in our homeland Malaysia,” the Prime Minister said.

Which is why we need to embrace our differences and enhance our similarities to forge a unity that transcends tolerance or compromise.