Moderation campaign lauded

For unity: (From left) Tropicana Corporation Bhd executive director Andrew Ashvin, Kurup and Zubedy showing their support for the #SaySomethingNice campaign.

PETALING JAYA: The private sector is commended for initiating campaigns to promote moderation among Malaysians ahead of National Day.

One such company, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, is The Star’s voices of moderation campaign.

He described the campaign as a pro-active initiative taken by the private sector which he believed would help in uniting the people of the country.

“Galvanising and rallying the rakyat, especially school children, via these campaigns, will send a clear message to our detractors that the silent majority will ensure the sustainability and continuity for our future generation,” Kurup said.

Launched on Aug 10, The Star’s campaign comes with a tagline “Brave Views and Bold Ideas” to remind its readers that it has always been, and will always be open to Brave Views and Bold Ideas, but tempered by the voice of moderation.

The newspaper pledged to keep discussions open, rational and moderate, and showcase the many liberal, moderate and balanced voices.

The Star has also pledged that it would be at the forefront to nurture and ensure the resounding triumph of moderation and reason over extremism and insanity.

Another notable endeavour is Zubedy Bhd’s #SaySomethingNice campaign launched by Kurup yesterday.

The campaign aims to use the time between the National Day on Aug 31 and Malaysia Day on Sept 16 as a time of truce to showcase Malaysia in a positive light.

Malaysians are encouraged to be creative with a medium of their preference to showcase the best of Malaysia.

Zubedy Bhd’s managing director Anas Zubedy said such efforts to foster unity must also come from all Malaysians and not just the Government.

“We created this project so Malaysians, ordinary folks, can take actions and do positive things to unite people, with whichever strengths and talents that they have.

“For the dream to materialise, we need a longer term to achieve the objectives.

“However, I believe that if we continue to do it persistently and on a yearly basis, this idea will be good for a longer run in celebrating unity.

“We also included a selfie something nice, where thousands of group selfies will be turned into a giant Malaysian map and will be showcased on Sept 16,” he said.

For more information on the #SaySomethingNice campaign, visit the campaign’s Facebook page (Say Something Nice Campaign).

For Kurup, humility is an essential factor in finding national unity.

“It is about finding the spark within us, by taking the first step with an attitude of humility, that helps bring unity,” he said at the launch of yesterday’s campaign.

He also noted that only through embracing values such as respect, mutual understanding and moderation, that the nation would move forward as a united country.

Malaysians, he added, should drop the “I am right and you are wrong” attitude, and instead learn to work together in ironing out the differences for the sake of national unity.

Kurup said the National Harmony Bill’s input, aimed at replacing the existing Sedition Act, was expected to be tabled to the Prime Minister and Cabinet towards the end of the year.