Last week, there came the heartwarming story of 35-year-old Manisha Jagan Mongan who saved three lives in death, when her kidneys and liver were transplanted in other people.
She was a rare example of somebody pledging to donate all their organs and tissues when they die.
The reports about the family’s 30-hour wait to claim her body, while the medical teams removed her organs, received hundreds of positive comments from Malaysians.
This is the true nature of Malaysians, whose unity is often disrupted by insensitive political statements.
The touching comments of Manisha’s father in the aftermath were absolutely remarkable coming at a time when racial harmony is being torn apart by politicians’ blatant use of racial and religious rhetoric.
Despite his tragic loss, P Jagan Mongan told FMT: “We do not know who the recipients are nor their race or religion, but the fact that Manisha has put a smile back on their faces gives my family a joy that is beyond words. Thank God we knew she had pledged all her organs before she left us.”
Those pledging their organs do not know who the recipients will be but that does not stop them. This is the true Malaysian spirit we experience on the ground. When it comes to saving lives, donating blood or giving first aid to accident victims, all Malaysians are colour blind.
Harvested organs are not labelled with the name or racial background of the donor. But it is only our official documents that demand we state our ethnic background and religion. Maybe that hints at a certain force that never wants to see a truly Bangsa Malaysia.
Similarly, patients in hospitals do not get to choose the doctors treating them. Whether it’s a Muslim or non-Muslim treating a patient of another community, only saving lives matters. Patients forget the racial background of their physicians as soon as they get into the hospital bed.
In addition to Manisha and her family’s generosity, a few recent heart-warming incidents have made me optimistic that despite the incorrigible shenanigans of our politicians, a truly united Malaysia will one day emerge.
At the hospital recently, I saw a Malay gentleman quickly set down his child to rush to the aid of a Chinese mother whose baby was stuck in the stroller.
Still consumed by the joy his action brought me, suddenly I was struck by a sinking feeling: why did I view this episode through a race-tinted lens. Could this not have simply been a case of a Malaysian helping another?
Most Malaysians tend to insert ethnic context into every aspect of our lives. When an incident occurs, the first thing that goes through many minds is the ethnicity of those involved.
If there is a drunk driving accident, many assume that it must be an Indian at the wheel. And when the driver’s on drugs, they must be Malay.
We only tend to be positive when something benefits us, tangible or otherwise. I remember Malaysians of all communities going crazy for badminton ace Lee Chong Wei each time he played for the nation. The scenes of a sweat-drenched Lee hugging coach Misbun Sidek gave many goose pimples. Race was never even part of the conversation, because we got to share their elation.
Malaysians need to change their mindsets and remove the race-tinted glasses they wear most of the time. Will any would-be recipient of a donated organ, tissue or blood ask first about the racial origin of the donor? Let’s not focus on the ethnicity of Malaysians when they appear in negative stories.
But most importantly, the seasoned politicians who peddle racial narratives for political gain must stop this practice if they want a truly united Malaysia. Where the leaders go, the people will follow. - FMT
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
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