One MALAYSIA !!

" I never really liked the Malays. It's not that I dislike them, it's just that I never really thought about them," is a line taken from a film called Sepet. The question now is, is art imitating life? The credo of 'protecting your own'  and the problem of non-Malays misunderstanding the concept of Malay supremacy, have become a source of tension between Malays and non-Malays and the lack of national unity among the citizens. So, is ONE MALAYSIA is the answer to correct these misunderstanding and inculcate national unity? From the time our Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak announced this concept, it has been thrown around a lot on what it means, and many have expressed confusion over that ONE MALAYSIA is. At the same time, it also attracted many criticism. Some said One Malaysia means there is only one race in Malaysia while others said it just another slogan that will soon vaporise into thin air. Actually, One Malaysia goal is to preserve and enhance unity in diversity. However, Malaysians are tend to interpret it differently. The non-Malays would like to interpret it to mean that from now on, all will be equal. But the crucial thing is, I don't think that the Malays are interpreting it in that way. Many want to take One Malaysia as the end of Malaysians referring to each other as Malay Malaysian, Chinese Malaysian, Indian Malaysian and so on. It is a very complex thing.


Since society is increasingly plural, each group wants to maintain their own cultural purity, and that's why assimilation as a policy is not acceptable in this country. With Malaysia's current state, I think it is difficult to really embrace and experience unity in diversity especially when the beauty of multicultural Malaysia is often eclipsed by politics, when everything along race and religion turns political and played by politicians for political mileage. Nowadays, it has become a rarity to find Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races sit together in a coffee shop or Mamak stall. It is more common to see the Malays sitting together at one table and the Chinese with their own kind at another table and so on.  If we look at our society today, we tend to be more racist compared to ten to twenty years ago. In addition, in context of politicians, whether they are in the government or the opposition, they tend to to raise political issues based on race, which is not healthy anywhere in the society.


Basically, One Malaysia is a responds to deterioration in ethnic relations in the country that has been happening over the last three decades. One Malaysia therefore, is an attempt to reduce polarisation, to create a sense of oneness, as the world itself suggests- creating a feeling of togetherness. It also an attempt to emphasise the importance of one people, one nation. I can see that One Malaysia as a long journey. One Malaysia is a process that would evolve and be shaped by the input from the people themselves. So, what would be the responsibility of Malaysians for the nations now? Perhaps that we need to do is look at the bigger picture and priorities national interest rather than dwell on the issues that are counter-productive to racial integration. The bigger picture is what is hoped from One Malaysia, which is to wipe out racial aspects of subsistence and support. Presently, One Malaysia represents hope; hope for unity. In my opinion, no citizens should be marginalised or victimised because of their race and religion. After all these years, do we still need to play the race card? We are already of one race. We are all part of human race. So, think about it. ONE MALAYSIA!! (^^,