Unity the key to maintaining lasting peace

IN his column “Do we really need unity?” (The Star, Dec 6), Wan Saiful Wan Jan argued that “If all we want is peace, then isn’t it a possibility that unity is irrelevant?”

Please let me state the contrary; peace and unity are not separate but complementary objectives or outcomes.

Peace is derived from harmony and unity, and depends on healthy respectful relationships within a certain group and with other groups.

Peace is necessary to bring about social or economic progress. Peace is also dependent on the establishment of social and economic equality by a sound political system that faithfully serves the legitimate interests of all groups.

For me, unity is the key to creating and maintaining lasting peace and harmony. Unity promotes the important notion of living peacefully together or side by side. Put simply, peace and unity are intertwined; no unity, no peace and vice versa.

For our nation, unity helps bring the stability and peace necessary for achieving greater economic and social progress and development.

Without unity, the nation will, in time, deteriorate. Thus, unity in purpose is paramount as “we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided” (J. K. Rowling).

Unity is the social “glue” that helps to bind our different groups together and get them to work towards improving our economic competitiveness and nurturing a more creative and innovative people.

Investors will be more attracted to our country if there is unity and peace among the races.

Ultimately, unity helps us to construct a harmonious, respectful and peaceful nation. Unity is not about forcing groups to adopt a particular culture, religion, lifestyle or ideas.

It is about encouraging us to know more about, and respect, each other and in the process help to reduce friction.

Unity in diversity (of cultures, religions, ideas) is unity based on a shared understanding, acceptance and striving for a peaceful and progressive nation.

NGEOW SZE LOONG

Kajang