Mahathir's vision of a 'Bangsa Malaysia'

Mahathir's vision of a 'Bangsa Malaysia'

KUALA LUMPUR: The vision spelt out by Datuk Seri Mahathir Mohamad of the Barisan Nasional coalition eventually evolving into a single party and the call by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discard racial politics deserve all out support by every Malaysian who has the future of this country at heart.

We say kudos to these two United Malays National Organization (UMNO) leaders for speaking out so boldly when racial politics is still very much part of the power game. Racial and religious extremism now poses a potential threat to our national security.

The Alliance, and now the National Front (Barisan Nasional) has provided the bedrock that gave birth to a stable, peaceful and prosperous Malaysia, an envy to many developing nations.

But this does not mean that there is no room for improvement.

The old approach, which works well under a certain set of political conditions, has its negative ramifications.

With a coalition of 13 component parties, mostly communal- based, the Barisan's political formula drives the nation on a high growth expressway in the hope that all racial differences would fade away as the nation prospers.

But with each party trying to outdo one another in championing the rights of its own race -- and political opportunists exploiting the situation -- the result is just the opposite.

At annual meetings, delegates will put on their tinted glasses and look at issues from a racial point of view. Racial sentiment is reinforced and embodied into resolutions. They will be passed on and, for better or worse, become part of policies. Racial differences are often institutionalized and become a way of life.

The vision of a Bangsa Malaysia is still vague. But there should be a national debate, so that we can start putting flesh to it to make it real. The evolution of Bangsa Malaysia should involving Malaysians from all walks of life, from young to old.

Political leaders must start serving all Malaysians regardless of race or religion. All BN members of parliament, state assemblymen and divisional and branch leaders should heed the Prime Minister's advice to reach out to people of all races, listen to them and solve their problems.

It was said that BN representatives only help people of their own race and do not attend functions hosted by other races in their own constituencies. "This is an unhealthy practice, we don't have to always put our own race first, instead we should focus on a Malaysian race," Mahathir said. We agree.

But we would also like to see the free mixing of our children in our neighborhoods, kindergartens, schools and colleges.

We would like to see that our children are taught from very young that we are one people and one nation, sharing a common destiny despite differences in culture and religion.

We would like to see that they grow up as friends, that when they need to cry on somebody's shoulder, when they want a best man for their wedding, or when they need someone to team up as business partners, it can be Ahmad for Ah Chong, Michael for Rama or Ranjeet for Christine.

-- The Star/Asia News Network