Follow the advice of our royal rulers or self-destroy ourselves

We need to ensure that we will not be hijacked by extremist racists in our beloved country, writes Ramon Navaratnam.

All Malaysians are blessed with the sound advice of our royal rulers to build national unity or self-destroy ourselves.

Firstly, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayattuddin Al – Mustafa Billah Shah, in his royal address at the Maulidur celebrations on 10 November, said that “the Prophets administration emphasised the feelings of love for each other and could be universally used as a major example to generate solidarity among the people”.

All patriotic and right-thinking Malaysians will loyally embrace this blessed royal statement and want to follow it steadfastly.

Secondly, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, in his royal address at the National Islamic Affairs Council’s Golden Jubilee celebrations on 7 November also is reported to have said: “Muslims must avoid being passive spectators who allow Islam to hijacked by certain quarters, for their chauvinistic reasons.”

Indeed this solid royal advice can be easily applied to not only Muslims but also all Malaysians regardless of race, religion or geographical location.

Royal clarion call

This welcome call and solid advice could well be the royal clarion call to the whole nation and all Malaysians to adopt it as part of our national plan to strengthen national unity. It could also buttress our new national socioeconomic policy of the “shared prosperity” vision.

It would be the humble wish of all devoted and dedicated Malaysians to appeal to all our illustrious Council of Rulers to more strongly promote this national philosophy of deliberate resistance, intolerance and firm rejection of any form of racism, religious bigotry and the violation of human rights.

Whither national dignity?

We should follow up with a national movement that could impose effective checks and balances on many politicians and even some wayward academics who have become ‘deviationists’. Their unreasonable, irresponsible and ugly utterances have already harmed and can undermine our maruah negara (or our whole national dignity) and integrity.

We are aware that these anti-Malaysian statements have caused much hurt and despair amongst a large number of Malaysians and friendly foreign investors. Their confidence in Malaysia’s future has been shaken. Many ask whether this is the deep state intention of the organisers of the recent sad Malay Dignity Congress.

If this negative trend is not corrected and put right in time and before any elections, we may witness unfortunate consequences that can undermine our national wellbeing .

As true Malaysians, we need to protect ourselves against sensitivities more carefully by being, among other things, much more empathetic.

As a proud non-Malay Malaysian, like millions of others, I feel sadly and severely hurt and pained by attacks on my Malaysian identity and Malaysian-ness.

I ask my fellow Malaysians who alienated us how they would feel in our shoes. Where are our cultural and religious and, really, Malaysian values as reflected in our Constitution and Rukun Negara?

All our socioeconomic successes so far and our peace and stability – which was won through the deep sacrifices of our pioneers, the public services, the security forces and veterans and several sincere political leaders – can be wiped out by racial and religious extremists and corrupt leaders.

Thus, we, as patriotic Malaysians, should stoutly rally around our royal rulers and all our supportive and caring political leaders to build more mutual respect and love for each other. Let’s all reject all hate mongers in our elections.

We need to ensure that we will not be hijacked by extremist racists in our beloved country or we will self-destruct easily!

Hidup Malaysia dan semua warga negara patriotik Malaysia! (Long live Malaysia and all patriotic Malaysian citizens!)

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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