Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar
AS Malaysia prepares to commemorate its 67th Independence Day, it’s a time to reflect on the nation’s journey and a celebration of its achievements.
This year’s Merdeka celebration is particularly poignant as it comes amidst a period of significant transformation and challenges.
The theme of “Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka” encapsulates the spirit of the nation’s aspirations. It signifies a commitment to a more just, inclusive and prosperous society.
The emphasis on “Jiwa Merdeka” (Merdeka Spirit) underscores the importance of unity, resilience and the unwavering belief in Malaysia’s potential.
The past year has seen significant strides in various sectors. Economic growth has been steady, driven by key industries such as technology and manufacturing.
The government’s efforts to promote sustainable development and environmental protection have gained momentum.
Furthermore, initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare and social welfare have shown positive results.
However, challenges persist. The nation continues to grapple with issues such as income inequality, racial tensions and the digital divide.
Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, businesses and civil society.
As we celebrate Merdeka, it is essential to remember the sacrifices of our forefathers who fought for independence.
Their legacy serves as a constant reminder of the importance of unity, resilience and the pursuit of a better future.
In conclusion, this year’s Merdeka celebration offers an opportunity to reflect on Malaysia’s progress, acknowledge its challenges and reaffirm its commitment to building a more just, inclusive and prosperous nation.
Let us embrace the spirit of Merdeka and work together to create a brighter future for generations to come.
Ronald Benjamin
THE celebration of Merdeka points us to history on how Malaysia attained its independence from the British.
One of the most fundamental insights about the history of Malaysian independence is how the Malay leaders at that time worked on encountering and accommodating the non-Malays into a political coalition and governance that eventually resulted in independence.
The reference point was the constitution that was clear about Malay-Muslim identity of the nation but created a balance to accommodate the rights of the non-Malay community.
Its wisdom could be felt to this day where all communities are represented in a certain way in governance.
The willingness of the nation’s founding Fathers to encounter, dialogue and accommodate made Malaysia a unique nation unlike other pre-independent countries which had to go through violent struggle among its people before attaining independence.
Even though the May 13 incident in 1969 which has its roots in colonialism of divide and rule by the British blemished some of those accommodative attitudes among the Malaysian multi-ethnic communities, the aftermath formation of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition stood with the spirit of encounter, dialogue and accommodation that contributed to peace and stability in the post Merdeka period.
The May 13 incident that projected social-economic grievance did not dilute the Malaysian societies capacity to accommodate each other since a strong foundation has been put in place by Fathers of the nation.
Such a capacity to accommodate is being challenged today by right wing politicians who won substantially in the last general election.
There is a saying: What we sow is what we reap.
If current politicians continue to build barriers instead of creating room for dialogue and understanding in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, we will become stagnant as a nation since there is no common endeavour to build peace and progress.
In this context, virtue, merit and excellence are buried by ethno-centric sentiments. To experience the real Merdeka zest, the attitude of forming a culture of encounter and dialogue should be pursued by politicians and civil society
The essence of Merdeka is about accommodating a diverse Malaysian family through a culture of encounter where knowing what lies beyond our differences or something greater unites us and transcends ethnical boundaries.
Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar is a former cabinet minister while Ronald Benjamin is the Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue’s secretary.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.
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