An initial excitement to reunite with his former schoolmates only lasted a few days as cartoonist Zunar today tweeted that he left their WhatsApp group due to racist messages.
He also shared his farewell message to his friends.
"I'm sorry my friends. In this group, I hoped to get to know old friends.
"But I'm among those who disagree with attacking other races or religion," Zunar said.
He ended his message by urging his friends to promote positive vibes rather than to spread hate.
"But I have no problem, all of you can continue. I'll take my leave," he said.
When contacted, Zunar said he chose to leave as he could not accept how some of his friends would insist on putting a racial spin on various issues.
"To link every single thing with race, I think that is not right.
"It is not about the race, it is about the individual," said Zunar, whose real name is Zulkiflee SM Anwarul Haque.
He also recounted his childhood days growing up in a village next to Kg Siam Titi Akar in Kedah and going to school together with Siamese Malaysian children at SK Padang Durian.
"It was almost 50-50 between Malay and Siamese students.
"Even our teachers had to speak in both languages," he recalled.
After moving to Kg Kilang Kecik in Pendang, Zunar said he continued to have fond memories of living among various races without any issues.
"I would say my village is pretty unique because there is a mosque, a church and a Hindu temple.
"When it comes time for prayers we will go to our respective places, but for the most parts we all mixed together," he said.
In the present time, Zunar lamented how many Malaysians appear to have lost the spirit of togetherness, with the Jalur Gemilang reduced to only a symbol of patriotism.
"We are all citizens of Malaysia, regardless of race or religion.
"So long as we don't have the love for one another as citizens, we will never have the patriotic spirit," he said. - Mkini
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