Below is an article that appears on the Letters to editor, NST. 15th April 2009. I share the same hope and aspiration and I hope all Malaysians share the same with me. Let's hope our leaders irrespective of parties will work towards this common goal, a 1Malaysia. Let's talk less and work more. Le's break all barriers, be more creative and innovative. One advert on Astro on Anak Yatim attracts my attention. Lets have more of this advert to create awareness among Malaysians who have been complacent for far too long. Hidup 1Malaysia.
By : NOEL F. D'OLIVEIRO, Taiping
IT will take more than oft-repeated, high-sounding rhe-toric to bridge the ever- widening racial divide in our country ("No racial barriers" -- NST, April 15).
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Malaysian politics has never been, and never will be, a model to be emulated, unless and until genetic engineers purge corruption, nepotism, hypocrisy, dishonesty, racialism and irrationality from human nature.
Our unity is superficial to say the least. After more than 50 years of independence, we are still classified as Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras. We are still separated by politically-created invisible walls.
To come together as a nation, we need to proceed beyond mere rhetoric and tear down these walls.
One of the many contributory factors to the glaring division of races today is the thinking of some unscrupulous, myopic and racially-inclined politicians. Politicians must bear in mind that they are accountable and have a social responsibility not to inflame public opinion.
Racial slurs uttered in Parliament degrade and subvert racial cohesion, especially in a multiracial country like ours.
The well-being of our country needs to be first and foremost above partisan politics. Too much politicking is becoming counterproductive to the well-being of our country and our relations with each other.
The only way to reach an understanding and affinity among us is to change our attitudes towards each other.
We have to accept, not just tolerate, other cultures. We must try to understand that if we have differences, it is not necessarily a bad thing.
Differences in our background can lead us to interpret events in a contrasting way. We have to convince ourselves that these same differences are exactly what make this country so strong.
Expansion of opportunities has often coincided with continuing inequality in the civil service and in the security forces (military, navy and air force). It is not enough to open the gates of opportunity. Everyone should be given the opportunity to walk through these gates.
Equal opportunities can lead to improved individual performance and motivation.
The only acceptable reason to discriminate is on the basis of ability and competence.
We ought to accept, respect and value people who are different from us and judge them on merit, without fear or favour. We have the responsibility of ensuring that equal opportunities are available to all. No single segment of society should have a monopoly over another.
Treating people fairly, with dignity and respect, creating a climate where no one has undue advantage over another, making decisions based on individual merit and not as a result of bias or prejudice, recognising the advantages and benefits of a diverse workforce, that everyone is different and that these differences can add value, and developing an environment free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation are the ingredients of a recipe to narrow the ever-expanding chasms between us.
Dismantle the social, personal and psychological barriers that keep the races apart. Only then will we be a nation in which ethnicity will be incidental, not fundamental; descriptive, not defining.
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