Slogans of unity must go beyond just words

Malaysia can be a nation that walks together in unity when we truly regard each other as one. Filepic

Spirit of Segulai Sejalai is something all of us as Malaysians should translate into action

AN IBAN phrase from Sarawak is entering the national conversation after drawing the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier this month.

Segulai Sejalai, which means “Together in Unity”, served as the theme of Sarawak’s Gawai celebration this year.

Attending the state Gawai dinner at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching on June 7, Anwar said he would adopt the phrase as a slogan of unity for the whole nation.

“I was struck to hear the Segulai Sejalai phrase, which I think should be used in Malaysia and not just Sarawak.

“Wherever I go from now on, when I talk about unity and cooperation I’ll make sure I say Segulai Sejalai,” he said.

Naturally, this has been well received in Sarawak, where the unity and harmony among the state’s diverse ethnic communities are a source of pride.

The Prime Minister himself acknowledged as much in his speech at the Gawai dinner.

Sarawak, he said, was a model of peaceful and harmonious relations, with a state government that was committed to unity.

“It’s time for Malaysians, especially those busy stirring up divisive sentiments, to learn from Sarawak’s example,” he added.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg expressed Sarawakians’ sentiments when he said the adoption of Segulai Sejalai as a nationwide slogan was an honour not only for the Dayak community but for the state.

“This is a very special Gawai because our motto Segulai Sejalai has attracted our Prime Minister’s attention, who said this is the concept that we have to promote throughout Malaysia,” he said.

It would be easy for us to bask in the glow of approval as Segulai Sejalai makes its way to the lips of all Malaysians.

But this is where the challenge lies – to make the phrase tangible and meaningful in our lives so that it does not remain mere words.

For Sarawakians, while we have long enjoyed racial and religious harmony with one another, we should not rest on our laurels nor take it for granted.

This is something we can be justly proud of, but let us take care not to become complacent.

We should continue nurturing unity and harmony in our midst, maintaining close relationships with friends from different races and backgrounds, and celebrating festive occasions together.

As we do so, we will hopefully be able to inspire others to follow our example and see that it really is possible for a diverse society to live in peace and harmony.

For all Malaysians, this is the issue we need to wrestle with.

What does it mean to live together in unity?

What does it look like in practice and how can we cultivate it?

We are a nation of many races, faiths and cultures.

Unity in diversity isn’t about minimising our differences but accepting them and learning to understand and respect one another across our different backgrounds.

It’s about making friends with people who are different from us, sharing our lives together and seeing one another as fellow Malaysians rather than through the narrow lens of race, religion or political affiliation.

I’m sure many of us do this already, but it’s important to keep on doing so in order to drown out the clamour of divisive rhetoric which seeks to keep us apart.

Let’s not just pay lip service to the notion of Segulai Sejalai but truly take it to heart and live it out so that Malaysia will indeed be a nation that walks together in unity. Malaysia can only be a nation that walks together in unity when we truly regard each other as one. — Filepic