New Malaysia belongs to all

Part of the crowds enjoying themselves during the Malaysia Day Countdown Unity Concert at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya last night. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. September 15, 2018.

AS we celebrate the first Malaysia Day under a different government from the past 54 years, let us remember amidst the euphoria that the “new Malaysia” belongs to all Malaysians, diverse not only in ethnicity, religion, language, culture, lifestyle and socio-economic conditions, but fundamentally, in aspirations of how our country should become. It belongs to not only the 48% voters who made history by electing in a Pakatan Harapan (PH) new government, but also the 52% whose votes were split between Barisan Nasional (BN), Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), numerous Bornean parties and other contestants.

For the New Malaysia to thrive, everyone must recognise that the nation belongs to us as much as those who disagree with us. Recognising our differences may inevitably slow down some changes when those changes trigger fear or apprehension amongst some Malaysians. We cannot ignore those fears and apprehensions to bulldoze changes. Instead, we can expedite changes by promoting dialogue to build trust, forge consensus and find inclusive solutions.