1Malaysia is only achievable if we believe in: One destiny for all,Malays, Chinese, Indians and all ethnic groups living in harmony,
All races with various cultures learning to respect one another,
Agreeing with each other in love,
Yearning for greater unity,
Sacrificing their own agendas; and If individualism is replaced with inter-dependency.
Arise Malaysia, This is your time to reveal your glory!
KUMARATHEVAN BALAKRISHNAN, Gua Musang, Kelantan
letters@nst.com
2010/09/17
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Malaysia Day thoughts: Let's do more for unity
KUMARATHEVAN BALAKRISHNAN, Gua Musang, Kelantan
letters@nst.com.my
2011/09/16
I AM proud to be a Malaysian. Though I was born more than a decade after the nation gained independence, I love this country because I was nurtured to be patriotic by my parents since young.
I believe Malaysia is a land flowing with "milk and honey", and blessed with different cultures, languages, natural resources and opportunities.
On Aug 31, we enjoyed the Merdeka Day holiday. It was the first time we did not "celebrate" Merdeka Day on its actual date. We are celebrating it today, together with Malaysia Day.
Fifty-four years ago, we received our independence from the British. What a proud moment it was when our first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj declared "Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka!" in the presence of the rakyat.
At that precious moment, those present would have felt that the dream of total freedom had come to pass and a new era of harmony and progress had begun.
In 1963, North Borneo (Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore joined Malaya to form Malaysia. However, Singapore pulled out of the federation two years later.
Today, we celebrate the 48th anniversary of the establishment of Malaysia. But, after so many years, some questions still linger in the minds of people. Are we truly liberated? Is there freedom of expression, press, speech and religion? Are human rights respected? Do we still believe in unity or is it just propaganda? Is there equality? What's happening to our education system? Why is there a brain drain? Why is there racial polarisation? How long or how far will racial and religious issues drag on?
The list may go on, but each one of us must make a stand and put our hands together to bring about a greater transformation in our nation.
Look at Great Britain -- the orderly, developed, civilised, multi-racial and democratic nation. Once a global empire, it fell prey to deadly riots last month. "Great" doesn't mean anything if there is no mutual understanding and unity in a plural society. It's a lesson for us, too.
Don't take unity and peace for granted as it is precious. As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said, we should move from tolerance to acceptance to achieve greater unity.
Let's stop pointing fingers, throwing accusations, disrespecting the sanctity of places of worship, publishing controversial articles or photos, condemning one another's beliefs and politicising sensitive issues which could cause racial tension.
As faithful citizens, we have the responsibility to show our patriotism by loving our country and countrymen. Respect for one another is essential. All Malaysians must take efforts to be sensitive in handling issues relating to religion and culture for the sake of inter-religious and racial harmony.
The government should emphasise, in every way possible, the five tenets of the Rukun Negara: Belief in God; Loyalty to the King and Country; Upholding the Constitution; Rule of Law; and Good Social Behaviour and Morality.
All quarters -- government and non-government -- should continue to combat social illnesses and provide jobs for the unemployed, and better jobs and positions for those who are capable and deserving without looking at one's religion or colour.
The government should continue to create better education opportunities to tackle unemployment, gangsterism, drug addiction and trafficking, and the increasing problem of unwed mothers and dysfunctional families.
To ensure the success of nation building projects, those in power should not forget the wholesome approach of helping all races, especially the poor and the needy.
Imagine how wonderful it would be if all races attend open house gatherings during festive seasons, sit together to watch sports events on big screens, take part in multiracial programmes, go camping or on outings, sit and chit-chat at coffee shops or warung makan or eat durians together, just like some of us continue to do and as we see on television advertisements.
I'm not saying the government, non-governmental organisations or citizens are not doing anything to achieve this; I am saying let's do more.
It's time to learn from past events and do something drastic to improve our lives. I believe all will be well if we practise moderate living, acceptance and mutual respect for one another.
Let's continue to pray for unity and peace. Together, we can make Malaysia a better place to live by building a healthy lifestyle and creating a lasting legacy.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Negaraku
Kids singing Negaraku for Malaysia Day & Merdeka celebration at KJGR Gua Musang, Kelantan
www.youtube.com
Proud to be Malaysian
Friday September 16, 2011
TRULY I am proud to be a Malaysian. I love this country because I was nurtured to be patriotic by my parents since childhood. I believe Malaysia is a land flowing with “milk and honey” – blessed with so many different cultures, languages, natural resources and opportunities.
On Aug 31, we enjoyed the Merdeka Day holiday. Probably this was the first time we did not really “celebrate” Independence Day on the actual date. We will do so today, which is also Malaysia Day.
Don’t take our unity and peace for granted. As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said, we should move from mere tolerance to acceptance to achieve greater unity among our multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society. We should start to walk this path.
We have the responsibility to show our patriotism by loving our country and our countrymen regardless of race, culture, religion or language. Due respect for one another is paramount.
All Malaysians must be more sensitive in handling religious and cultural issues for the sake of religious and racial harmony.
Stop pointing fingers, throwing accusations, showing disrespect for the sanctity of places of worship, publishing controversial articles, photos or advertisements via mass media, condemning one another’s beliefs and politicising sensitive issues that could cause racial tension.
The Government should emphasise even more constantly, in any way possible, the five tenets of the Rukunegara – Belief in God; Loyalty to King and Country; Upholding the Constitution; Rule of Law; Good Social Behaviour and Morality.
All quarters – Government and non-governmental organisations (NGO) – should continue to combat the various social illnesses and provide jobs for the unemployed and better jobs and positions for those who are capable and deserving without looking at one’s creed or colour.
We must also encourage youngsters to pursue higher education and take up self-improvement courses even as the Government continues to create better education opportunities for them.
To ensure the success of the nation-building process, we should not forget to help the poor and the needy of all races in whichever way possible. If we decide rightfully, we can be a blessing to our beloved country.
Imagine how beautiful it will always be if all races attend open house gatherings on festive seasons, sit together to watch sports events on big screens, take part in multi-racial programmes, go camping or on outings, sit and chat at coffee shops or ‘warung makan’ or eat durians together.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that the Government, politicians or NGOs and the citizens are not doing anything.
I’m just emphasising on learning from past events and what’s happening around us.
I have worked in a Malay press for years and most of my friends are Muslims. I join in buka puasa and festive open house events in the office or in their houses and even attend functions organised at mosques.
I believe all will be well if we practice moderate living, acceptance and mutual respect for one another. Let’s continue to pray for unity and peace. Together we can make Malaysia a better place to live in.
Selamat Merdeka and Happy Malaysia Day! God bless Malaysia.
KUMARATHEVAN BALAKRISHNAN,
Gua Musang, Kelantan.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Mari mengisytiharkan “Merdeka!” Dalam Setiap Situasi
PENDAPAT
Jumaat Ogos 26, 2011
LIMA puluh empat tahun lalu, kita menerima kemerdekaan daripada British. Ia adalah satu saat yang membanggakan apabila Perdana Menteri kita yang pertama Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj mengisytiharkan: “Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!” di hadapan rakyat pelbagai kaum, agama dan budaya.
Saya pasti, waktu itu sudah tentu imbasan masa depan yang cerah memancar di mata nenek moyang kita.
Pasti mereka merasakan bahawa impian untuk hidup dalam kemerdekaan sepenuhnya akhirnya telah tercapai dan mungkin satu impian baru untuk hidup dalam keharmonian dan pembangunan progresif ke arah kejayaan telah ‘mengandung’ dalam fikiran mereka pada saat yang berharga itu.
Bangsa Melayu, Cina, India dan kaum-kaum lain pada ketika itu mula bekerjasama sebagai sebuah gabungan untuk memastikan negara kita terus menikmati kebebasan, perpaduan, ketahanan dan meneruskan usaha untuk mencapai kejayaan yang lebih besar.
Kini sudah tentulah renungan masa lampau ini akan memberikan harapan baru bagi kita untuk manghadapi masa depan yang lebih cerah, lebih-lebih lagi ketika rakyat sedang membuat persediaan untuk memperingati ulang tahun Hari Kemerdekaan negara kita sekarang.
Beberapa soalan lazim yang masih berlarutan dalam fikiran beribu-ribu rakyat negara kita ialah: "Adakah kita benar-benar bebas –masih adakah kebebasan bersuara, akhbar dan agama? Masih adakah hak asasi manusia di tanah air ini? Adakah kita masih percaya kepada perpaduan atau ini hanya satu propaganda? Adakah terdapat kesamaan? Apa yang sedang berlaku kepada sistem pendidikan kita? Mengapa terdapat penghijrahan cendekiawan? Mengapa terdapat keunggulan sesuatu kaum dan polarisasi? Berapa lama atau sejauh mana isu-isu perkauman dan agama akan berterusan?”
Rakan-rakan yang disayangi, senarai boleh berterusan tetapi kita mesti membuat satu pendirian dan berganding tangan untuk membawa transformasi yang lebih besar dalam negara kita.
Ya, saya percaya, kita pasti memerlukan campur tangan Tuhan untuk perpaduan nasional dan keamanan.
Lihatlah Great Britain – sebuah negara yang teratur, maju, bertamadun, berbilang kaum dan demokrasi - yang merupakan empayar global pada satu masa dahulu dan pernah memerintah sebahagian besar dunia termasuk negara kita, kini telah menjadi mangsa rusuhan baru-baru ini.
Kegagahan sesebuah negara tidak bermakna jika tiada persefahaman dan perpaduan dalam sesebuah masyarakat majmuk. Ia benar-benar satu pengajaran yang baik untuk dipelajari.
Oleh yang demikian, jangan ambil isu perpaduan dan keamanan dengan sewenang-wenangnya! Ia amat berharga. Apabila Perdana Menteri kita, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak beberapa kali mengingatkan rakyat untuk bergerak dari bersikap toleransi semata-mata ke tahap penerimaan bagi mencapai perpaduan yang lebih besar di kalangan masyarakat berbilang agama, kaum dan budaya, kita harus mengambil ikhtibar untuk membawa perubahan.
Berhenti menuding jari, melemparkan tuduhan, menodai kesucian tempat ibadat, menerbitkan artikel, gambar atau iklan-iklan yang kontroversi melalui media massa atau saling mengutuk kepercayaan orang lain dan mempolitikkan isu-isu sensitif yang boleh mencetuskan ketegangan kaum.
Sebagai warganegara yang setia, kita mempunyai tanggungjawab untuk menunjukkan semangat patriotik terhadap negara kita yang disayangi juga terhadap rakyat jelata walaupun kita berbeza bangsa, agama, budaya dan bahasa.
Sikap menghormati antara satu sama lain adalah amat diperlukan oleh sebuah negara seperti Malaysia.
Kerajaan perlu memberi perhatian yang lebih serius dan sentiasa mengingati rakyat dengan pelbagai cara tanpa mengenepikan lima prinsip Rukun Negara iaitu Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan; Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara; Keluhuran Perlembagaan, Kedaulatan Undang-Undang; Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan.
Semua pihak - kerajaan, pembangkang mahupun pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) - perlu terus memerangi pelbagai gejala sosial dan berusaha untuk mewujudkan peluang-peluang pekerjaan kepada yang menganggur dan jawatan yang lebih baik bagi mereka yang berkebolehan dan berhak tanpa melihat kepercayaan atau warna kulit seseorang.
Selain itu, kita juga mesti menggalakkan anak-anak muda untuk melanjutkan pelajaran ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi dan mengambil kursus-kursus pembangunan diri sementara kerajaan terus mencipta peluang pendidikan yang lebih baik untuk membendung kadar pengangguran, gangsterisme, penagihan dadah dan penyeludupan, peningkatan masalah anak luar nikah dan keluarga pincang.
Untuk memastikan kejayaan projek-projek pembinaan bangsa, kita tidak harus lupa pendekatan baik untuk membantu semua bangsa terutama orang miskin dan yang kurang kemampuan dalam apa jua cara yang munasabah.
Jika kita bersatu hati untuk membawa perubahan yang drastik, kita boleh jadi satu rahmat kepada tanahair tercinta ini.
Bayangkan betapa indahnya untuk terus melihat semua bangsa dijemput makan bersama di majlis berbuka puasa, menghadiri majlis keramaian dan perkahwinan pelbagai kaum, duduk bersama menonton acara sukan pada skrin besar, mengambil bahagian dalam program-program melibatkan masyarakat majmuk, pergi berkhemah atau makan angin, duduk dan bersembang di kedai kopi serta warung makan atau makan durian bersama seperti apa yang dipraktikkan oleh segelintir masyarakat dan juga sepertimana kita sering melihat dalam iklan TV.
Jangan salah faham, saya tidak menuduh bahawa kerajaan atau ahli politik, NGO dan warganegara yang lain tidak melakukan apa-apa tetapi saya hanya mengatakan bahawa sudah tiba masanya untuk kita semua belajar dari masa lalu serta daripada situasi yang berlaku di sekeliling kita dan segera melakukan sesuatu yang drastik dan lebih munasabah untuk memperbaiki kehidupan kita.
Saya pernah berkhidmat di sebuah syarikat Melayu selama bertahun-tahun dan kebanyakan kawan-kawan saya adalah beragama Islam.
Kami menikmati masa kami bersama-sama, saya sering menyertai mereka dalam acara berbuka puasa di pejabat atau di rumah mereka dan juga menghadiri majlis yang dianjurkan oleh pihak masjid. Kami juga membincangkan perkara-perkara yang berkaitan dengan agama dengan rasa hormat yang sewajarnya.
Saya percaya, semua akan baik jika kita mengamalkan pendekatan yang sederhana, penerimaan dan sikap saling hormat menghormati antara satu sama lain. Jadi mari kita mengisytiharkan “Merdeka!” atas situasi-situasi yang kita hadapi setiap hari dalam hidup dan masyarakat kita sehingga ia tercapai.
Terus doakan untuk perpaduan dan keamanan. Bersama kita boleh menjadikan Malaysia sebuah tempat yang lebih baik untuk hidup.
Kumarathevan Balakrishnan
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