Let sanity prevail despite the politics of ethnicity that is prevalent

by K. Haridas

Yes, I am Malaysian. I may also be a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Dayak or be from any of the other minority communities present in this multi-ethnic nation. My parents or my grand parents may have migrated here or my people may have opted to join the Federation to become Malaysian.

Whatever may be history�s contribution, I was born here and feel Malaysian. This is not to say that I do not identify with my ethnic origins. I do. But being Malaysian is something distinctive. This calls on me to view life beyond my ethnic identity and to experience my kinship with everyone. I grow and am sensitive to the needs all around me in which everyone has a part.

We share a common geography and a common landscape. The fruits, flora and fauna of this land are part of me. The vegetables and the climate of this land have nurtured and nourished me. Its waters, soil, smell and air have contributed to who I am. These contribute to the ingredients of my blood. There is a sense of belonging, which draws and links me through nature to this land. I share this with the diversity all around me.

Being Malaysian is more than just my ethnic identity. I am called to an identity that respects diversity. Every community is important in the context of being Malaysian. This perhaps idealistic view lifts the notion of being Malaysian to a level where unity means more than just cooperation. We need one another and together we define what it is to be Malaysian.

Power and politics constantly corrode our sense of oneness which unity inspires. Ethnicity becomes the dominant paradigm. My ethnic identity is constantly emphasized. Sadly my sense of being Malaysian is identified only in small ways.

Unity is devalued to the level of inter-ethnic co-operation. Ethnic politics epitomizes this as the highest level of unity. Co-operation becomes the end whereas it should be the fruit of unity. We have been used to the rhetoric of unity. Vision 2020 highlights noble sentiments and statements. Many aspire but we remain imprisoned within antiquated political structures and mindsets.

The very proponents of Vision 2020 are the first to talk in terms of Malay or Chinese unity. In presenting this view they are often insensitive to the feelings of other communities. The manner in which �Suqiu�s� demands were handled and how our national leaders referred derogatively to them is a case in point. Thereafter how this matter was politicized with a response from another ethnic group only highlights how issues can be manipulated. The fear of �disunity� possesses political power. This fear is manipulated to entrench ethnic politics.

Recent events in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur reveal how tenuous ethnic relations can be if adequate attention is not given to social issues arising from poverty. Confrontations within multi-ethnic societies can easily become `ethnic conflicts' while the underlying causes of conflict are blurred. Had the same incident taken place in a homogenous society its interpretations would be significantly different.

We must place attention and focus on the social issues prevalent in the outer city limits and squatter areas. Despite all our great achievements conditions in Taman Medan and Taman Dato Harun exist in numerous parts of this land.

As long as our politics is based on ethnicity unity will be subverted. For in their exercise of power ethnicity provides our politicians with their legitimacy. This remains the quick road up the ladder of politics. For all their talk of unity they can be seen speaking with forked tongues to different audiences. They will be chauvinistic when it comes to addressing their particular ethnic ghettos. We who are Malaysian are caught within these paradoxes. This breeds cynicism and polarizes ethnic feelings.

The time has come for us to lift our notion of unity beyond inter-ethnic co-operation. This can be achieved in the context of a commitment to a cause bigger than ethnicity. Being committed to one�s faith, to justice, greater democracy grounded in values and principles would give all Malaysian a common yardstick.

We have to lift our sights and horizons so that Malaysian feel and subscribe to the notion of Bangsa Malaysia. Unity is borne out of an aspiration of oneness. The �genome� discoveries highlight how similar human beings are throughout the world. This will help us look at nation building through fresh lens and perspectives.

Just as the New Economic Policy aimed at disassociating economics from ethnic origins there is a need for new and challenging pragmatic policies which will ensure that our Civil Service, the Army, Navy and other sectors are not identified wholly with any particular ethnic group. We have to address improvements in these areas. A failure to be Malaysian means to lack respect and value diversity in our midst. If we continue to use ethnicity to define our successes and failures then we will be subscribing to greater polarization. The time has come for us to get our fundamentals right.

This is not to say that inter-ethnic co-operation was not a good beginning. This provided us with a good starting point. However, since then we have got stunted and history is now providing Malaysians with an opportunity to shift the agenda of Unity. In this context causes based on nobler values and principles be it Islam, Justice, Democracy or Socialism give us this opportunity. We need to have dialogue and share our deepest convictions for this land of ours. The space for democratic exchange has to be extended.

This will give us the context to address the needs at the lowest levels of our community where poverty and violence so easily go hand in hand. A small misunderstanding can very easily take ethnic angles. We must ensure that adequate work is done in ensuring that inter-ethnic goodwill and understanding is continuously kept in the forefront of community development endeavours. That which we undertake together is much stronger then what is done independently by any particular ethnic group. Let us interact at all levels.

Please God, we are Malaysians. Let sanity prevail despite the politics of ethnicity that is prevalent in this nation. It is our duty to ensure that we move forward expressing and experiencing a deeper spirit of unity. To persevere in sharing the spirit of unity with other human beings is a noble cause. If we are right as Malaysians than we will also be right in every other context. Ethnic relations will then be grounded in a spirit of Unity.