KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is poised to showcase its unique model of national unity at the Asean Summit in 2025, with the National Unity Ministry highlighting how the country’s multiracial, multicultural and multiethnic harmony has become a key global attraction.
Deputy National Unity Minister Senator K. Saraswathy said Malaysia’s National Unity Ministry is distinctive, as it is the only one of its kind in the world, and this uniqueness positions Malaysia as a model of peaceful coexistence for other nations.
"The Unity Ministry is unique in the sense that there’s only one such ministry in the whole world. On the international stage, we are seen as a country with a multiracial, multicultural, and multiethnic society, yet we have been able to maintain a very high level of unity and understanding among the people,” she said in an interview with Bernama at Wisma Bernama yesterday.
Malaysia’s success in fostering unity is also gaining recognition globally, partly due to the efforts of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has actively engaged with international leaders to promote investments in Malaysia.
"One of the attractions for investors is the unity that is prevalent among our communities. Other countries are keen to learn from our experiences. We have had our ups and downs, but we have overcome these challenges to emerge as a role model for this region,” she added.
According to Saraswathy, Malaysia’s strength lies not just in the absence of racial tension but also in the nation’s ability to foster peace and harmony.
"When we talk about unity, it’s not just the absence of disunity. In some nations, there might not be outright disunity, but there is often racial tension or animosity. That is not the case in Malaysia. We have created a society based on our Rukun Negara principles,” she said.
Highlighting Malaysia’s achievements, she emphasised the importance of promoting the values of unity at the Asean level, particularly as Malaysia prepares to take the helm of the regional bloc in 2025.
"We want to showcase that we are not only investing in human resources and infrastructure but also in values that uphold unity. This is something that we can promote at the Asean level, especially the concept of peaceful coexistence,” she said.
She added that international recognition of Malaysia’s efforts would further encourage Malaysians to value and maintain their country’s peaceful coexistence.
"When the entire world looks at us as a peaceful nation, it motivates our people to sustain and enhance this harmony. It’s a two-way process that reinforces our commitment to unity,” she said. - Bernama
