MELAKA: The fixation on race has no place in the country's future, says Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam in his wish for Malaysia as he marked his 77th birthday on Monday (Aug 24).
"My birthday wish is for all of us to move away from an excessive fixation on race and work together as Malaysians to advance the country," said the Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
He made the appeal as he lamented the rise in racial stereotyping and the lack of civic consciousness among younger Malaysians, calling the trend deeply troubling.
He said racial issues emerge almost daily, accompanied by slurs, slander and attempts to belittle fellow Malaysians and expressed perplexity that racism appears to be reaching new heights even after 69 years of independence.
"How long do we intend to remain racist? Until the end of the world, or until we destroy this beautiful nation?" he asked.
Mohd Ali said this in his address at the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with the birthday celebration at Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh.
He noted that the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara were established through the collective wisdom of the country's various communities to safeguard harmony among Malaysians and stressed that Malaysia could not have achieved its present progress without the foundation laid by previous generations.
"Now that the country has developed and we are living in comfort, we tend to forget the past and become preoccupied with racial differences," he said.
He emphasised that the rights of every ethnic community are protected through the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara and cannot simply be disregarded or erased.
"Our country should be looking towards a progressive future, yet we remain focused on arguing among ourselves and perpetuating racism," he said.
Mohd Ali said the Rukun Negara should not merely be recited as a pledge, but must be understood, embraced and translated into action to strengthen unity and harmony.
"The Rukun Negara is our national philosophy as it serves as a guide for living together as a society," he said, adding that its five principles have shaped the identity and character of Malaysians since its introduction.
He said embracing the Rukun Negara was especially vital now, as a bulwark against negative influences that could threaten unity.
Mohd Ali called on Malaysians to renew their commitment to practising its principles in daily life rather than merely reciting them at official functions.
"With this spirit, I am confident that Melaka will continue to be a peaceful, harmonious, united and progressive state," he added.
