Towards a more united Malaysia

IN nine days’ time, we will be commemorating 65 years of Merdeka. Like many other citizens, I sometimes wonder: are we becoming more united or more divided as a nation?

By a “united nation”, I think of a land in which peace, harmony and mutual respect exist between dissimilar individuals and groups and in which unity does not mean uniformity and diversity does not mean fragmentation.

In a country that is united, people accept that differences in race, religion, culture, language and outlooks can enrich human interactions and contribute to the flourishing of the nation’s economy, politics, education and the nation’s standing in the world community.

The unity that I am alluding to is a long-term and multi-dimensional project. It involves the political wisdom of sharing power and involving all communities in making decisions that affect their lives.

Such unity has a strong economic dimension. It supports the eradication of poverty irrespective of race, religion or region. It supports an equitable sharing of the nation’s wealth between all communities.

Unity is based on a fair opportunity for all to achieve their potential and seek upward mobility. It is based on an education system, which is enriched by the beauty and wisdom of many cultures and civilisations, and the building of the bouquet of knowledge with the fragrance of flowers from many gardens.

It is my belief that our Federal Constitution sought to provide such a foundation.

With all its flaws, the Constitution was a masterpiece of compassion and compromise, accommodation and moderation. It supplied the legal foundation for tolerance, harmony and national unity. It provided workable arrangements for the people of our multi-hued nation to live together in peace and harmony.

Even in its “ethnic clauses” the Constitution reflected a considerable spirit of compromise, compassion and moderation. That is one of the proud (but forgotten) legacies of our founding father, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

Sadly, for much of the period since independence, our Constitution was not honoured the way it should have been. There was not much effort to impart constitutional literacy in schools, universities, the public services, the police and armed forces, and Parliament. Till five or so years ago, the courts were reluctant to review legislative and executive actions on the litmus test of constitutionality. For about 60 years after Merdeka, the supreme Constitution did not become the chart and compass, the sail and anchor of our national endeavours.

However, one can note with pride that the Constitution is in renaissance and the Judiciary is asserting its independence to act without fear or favour to uphold the rule of law. This is arousing contemptuous attacks on the Judiciary from some quarters.

I am reminded of two similar periods in recent history.

One was the trial and conviction in the 1970s of Datuk Haji Harun Idris, then mentri besar of Selangor and Umno Youth leader.

The other was the deregistration saga of Umno in the late 80s, which led to the unfair dismissal of several Supreme Court judges including Tun Salleh Abas.

In the spirit of Merdeka, let us not dwell on the negative side of life but speak of dreams and hopes and plans of action to which we, ordinary citizens, can contribute to. Let us strengthen our social fabric by building ethnic bridges, dismantling ethnic walls, healing and reconciling, and developing a vision of unity.

As we celebrate 65 years of political freedom, we need to overcome the slavery of our minds to racist and religious bigotry.

We need to restore moderation, recapture the spirit of 1957/1963 and reintroduce our winning formula for living together. The task is very large and holistic. Only a few proposals can be mentioned.

We must recognise our diversity as something that will not go away and we must regard it as an asset.

Whether we admit it or not, our cultures are intermingled and interdependent. Many of us are in denial about our mixed heritage. We share heterogeneity, multiple identities, mixed ancestry, and imbibe the winds and the waters and the cultural values from many shores.

Due to the administrative classification of West Malaysians into artificial, socially constructed “races” by the name of Malay, Chinese and Indian, the dazzling diversity within these groups remains largely unexplored.

We must improve our constitutional literacy especially regarding the ethnic compromises in the Constitution.

Let us ask our government to make the Rukun Negara the Preamble to our Constitution; provide a new statutory, institutional framework for reconciling race and religious conflicts; promote interfaith studies; de-politicise implementation of Article 153 programmes; and revamp our educational system to make it more inclusive.

The government must enforce the laws against hate speech promptly and equally. We need to learn from others (like Singapore and the United Kingdom) on how to deal with speech that sows the seeds of hatred. Political leaders, the presiding officers in Parliament, media personalities and community chiefs must condemn hate crimes and hate speech immediately, strongly, publicly and consistently.

They must send out a message of tolerance and restraint. It is not enough to “ignore the ignorant” and the extremists.

Race and religion-based political parties must open up to others.

We need leadership. As Jesse Jackson said: “Leaders of substance do not follow opinion polls. They mould opinion, not with guns or power or position but with the power of their souls.”

The recently enfranchised youth have a special role to be the vanguard. Each of you needs to stand up and be counted for what is right and what is necessary. If you can muster the courage to raise your voice against racism and religious bigotry, you never know how many more will find strength in your good example.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Remember, how a pebble thrown on the placid surface of a lake sends ripples far away.

So, please, build a new Malaysia you wish to live in and to bequeath to your kids.

Please restore Malaysia to the high pedestal on which it was once placed as an exemplar of a nation in which peace and prosperity, democracy and development, and unity and diversity could live together.

Shad Faruqi wishes all readers a joyous and hopeful National Day. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.