Inter-Ethnicity, 1Malaysia

I was at a Yayasan 1 Malaysia Press conference recently, addressing the issue of Inter-Ethnicity and proposing taking race off all forms. Many have asked me why this is so important. Well to begin with we are Malaysians first then only are we Indians, Malays, Chinese, Bidayuh, Kadazan etc.

I‘ve always felt we need to transcend our ethnic divisions and unite as a nation under 1Malaysia. We simply need to get this country moving again in the right direction, instead of constantly squabbling among ourselves.

Our strength has always been our diversity  the diversity of races, religions, languages, cultures and many more. We’ve always found a unique ‘Malaysian way’ of resolving issues. But over the years, we seem to have lost that somewhat and we need to urgently rediscover it. I’ve said this many times and don’t want to sound like a broken record. But, I just can’t help but say it again and again…The world is moving at warp speed and it doesn’t owe us anything. If we can’t compete at the global level, we will never be able to move up to the high income economy as imagined by the prime minister in fact we might move backwards.

We have great talent. We Malaysian can achieve anything if we put our minds to it  and move forward as one. But it is only being united as Malaysians that we can take our rightful place on the global stage.

Our nation is blessed with abundant natural resources we are a country blessed with talented people who are a match for anyone on the planet. Yet instead of building on this foundation we seem to be dismantling it instead.

Let us celebrate our diversity and take pride in our individuality even as we reach across the boundaries of race, religion and culture and unite as Malaysians in chasing and realizing our shared dreams.

I have and always been proud to be a Malaysian. That’s all I ever thought I am. Whenever, I am abroad at sports, music or government events, I am always there as a Malaysian. I don’t know anything else.

So, I end today’s piece with a challenge to my fellow Malaysians…to make 2011 the year we once again come together as Malaysians. Go to www.yayasan1malaysia.org to see how you can make that difference.