KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are urged to make the #Malaysia100 vision a shared direction in order to build and pass on a better country by the 100th anniversary of the country's independence in 2057.
Yayasan Warisan Ummah Ikhlas and Yayasan Sinar Untuk Malaysia founder Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub said the remaining 30 years spans only one generation, while the Malaysia that will be inherited by grandchildren at that time is being shaped by the actions of society today.
He expressed concern that much of the country's time is currently being wasted on disputes over racial, religious and political issues, while efforts to improve the country's systems and institutions need to be set in motion immediately regardless of background or ideology.
"We are running out of time. Today's division cannot be inherited. Corruption and breach of trust cannot make us merely complain or accept them to be negotiated, normalised or forgiven. We must have the courage to fight. If our institutions are weak, we must immediately restore them. Fix a broken system now.
"Anything that is unjust, do not pretend not to see it and remain silent. All of this will become a burden that our grandchildren will have to carry," he said in a media statement in conjunction with the 69th National Day celebration on Monday (Aug 31).
Hussamuddin said the responsibility of shaping #Malaysia100 should not begin in Putrajaya, but instead needs to be nurtured from home through instilling noble values in children's hearts, how to respond to differences and the courage to choose leaders with integrity.
Using leadership and national values as a "baton" that needs to be handed over from one generation to the next, he reminded that integrity and the value of compassion must be developed alongside physical progress.
"That baton is our values that need to be carried along, no matter how tall the buildings we build and how advanced the technology we have in building Malaysia 100 years after Independence.
"Compassion and integrity for the prosperity of the country must be developed as we build Malaysia. If not, we may look great on the outside but inside, slowly decay eaten by termites," he said.
In this regard, he urged every level of society to take responsibility for determining the fate and position of their families, organisations and country for the next 30 years for the legacy of future generations. - Bernama
