No gain in claiming racial superiority

There have been many instances of racist comments uttered against the Chinese for no apparent reason, which is unacceptable as we have come a long way since Independence on August 31, 1957.

Do those uttering racist comments against the Chinese still harbour hatred against the community for some incomprehensible reason?

Have these racists forgotten that the Chinese together with the Malays and Indians helped build this nation?

Everyone must bear in mind that Independence was achieved with the agreement of the three major races (Malay, Chinese and Indian). Everyone promised to co-operate and work together to build the nation after obtaining Independence.

It is this spirit of camaraderie that will make Malaysia a great nation.

There is no use in claiming racial superiority by putting down other races. Divisiveness will only bring ruin, destruction and hinder progress.

How can we be a great nation if there is discord and dissent and we waste time and energy dealing with racist statements?

Currently, the nation has had several setbacks with Malaysia Airlines, the security problem in Sabah and the economic slowdown.

Let us all pull together by working hard to get this nation back on track. Certain quarters, too, must do their part by not spouting racist comments or questioning the loyalty of any race. Those who do should be roundly condemned. Why are these people not called up for questioning?

The rights of all communities have been enshrined in the Federal Constitution – the supreme law of the land. Everyone is protected under the Federal Constitution. No race need be afraid of being sidelined.

The loyalty of each and every Malaysian cannot be questioned and no one should be labelled an “immigrant” or “pendatang”.

The Chinese and Indians, who were here before Independence are rightful citizens, courtesy of the social contract. Those who were born after Independence are naturalised citizens.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) director Dr. Kua Kia Soong in his book “Patriots & Pretenders” said:

The Reid Commission that was set up at the Merdeka Conference to prepare a report on the Independence proposals relied mainly on the recommendations of the Alliance.

The main proposals are:

1. Special privileges for Malays in the public service, permits and licences in business and trade, government scholarships for education;
2. English and Malay would be the only official languages;
3. The principle of jus soli citizenship for all born after 1957.

(Jus soli is Latin for ‘right of the soil’ which means that it is the right of anyone born in the territory of a state to gain nationality or citizenship).

Going by these proposals, the Malays need never fear of being sidelined.

Therefore, everyone should work together to make this nation great. There should be no suspicion or ill-feeling towards another race because these negative feelings will drag the nation down.

A nation is only as strong as the unity of its people. In other words, we must put into practice the slogan of ‘The Three Musketeers’: One For All And All For One.