Where politician failed, Lee Chong Wei delivered

Friday, 22 August 2008

For your thoughts

Another new cutting for your thoughts.... An extract from The New Straits

Times.2008/08/22
HARDEV KAUR:
Where politicians failed, Chong Wei delivered
By : HARDEV KAUR

ON Sunday night Malaysians set aside their religious, racial and political differences to cheer Lee Chong Wei. They all rooted for him as he took on the world's number one badminton player, Lin Dan from China. Lee was the country's best hope for gold at the Beijing Olympics. And it did not matter that he was of Chinese descent; what mattered was that he is a Malaysian and that he was close to bringing home Malaysia's first-ever gold from the Olympics.

In the end it was not to be. But he achieved, even if it was for 39 minutes, something no party in the country has been able to -- unite the country and all Malaysians irrespective of race, religion or political affiliation.

Feuding politicians, even the candidates for the Permatang Pauh by-election, took a break from the campaign and set aside their differences for a common goal -- hoping to see a fellow Malaysian win.

Malaysians can rally around a common cause, if they want to. But the religious, political and social divisions that are rearing their ugly heads threaten the very fabric of society and all that our founding fathers stood and fought for.

As the country marks 51 years of independence at the end of this month, the hard work and the example set by the founding fathers should not be wasted. But it seems to be fraying and in danger of being destroyed by the differences that are beginning to emerge. As the country moves into the next stage of its independent life, its citizens should work together to forge ahead and strengthen the ties that bind us and not what divides us.

The leaders of the Malays, Indians and Chinese, in the run-up to independence, saw the importance and the need to cooperate and present a united front to the colonial masters and to live in harmony. After half a century of self government, Malay-sians should have learnt to live together in harmony. But unfortunately, disturbing trends are emerging. Gangster tactics are being used, as evidenced over the weekend with that attack on journalists who are there to do their job.

P. Ramlee movies, which we all never tire of watching no matter how many times they are repeated, have a multiracial and multicultural theme. The different races, cultures and beliefs coexist side by side in his movies, with no barriers. There are no religious police or self-appointed guardians of morality who break down doors and wake sleeping women and children, including foreign visitors.

It is still not too late to take stock of the situation. Malaysians are capable of proving to the world that we are citizens of a nation that embraces racial and religious harmony. The country has been held up around the world as an example of a success story in racial and religious co-existence. But with the disturbing trends that are emerging, we may not be an example for others to emulate. We may be seen as an example not to be followed.

A multiracial, multireligious and multicultural society living in peace and harmony cannot be taken for granted. Even Tunku Abdul Rahman admitted that "we have internal problems and these problems require our immediate attention". This statement by the Tunku is still very relevant and true today.

Perhaps even more true today!And in these difficult and challenging times when religious bigotry is beginning to exhibit its naked ugliness, Malaysians can and should lead the world in showing that different races and religions can co-exist. But unfortunately we are beginning to fall into the mould that others want us to -- that the different races and religions cannot live and work together.

The detractors will point to the ugly scenes of supporters of political leaders beating up journalists and meetings being disrupted by rowdy individuals and politicians.

Mob rule cannot be allowed in this country. Civilised and mature discussions on even the most sensitive issues can and should be held. This has been done in the past; why not now? Why are we, as a nation, bent on destroying all that we stand for? Demolishing the foundation that the founding fathers laid and all that has been built upon it so far?

Individual ambitions should be set aside for the greater good of the majority and of the nation as a whole. There are enough examples around the world to prove that selfish interests can lead a nation to ruin. No one benefits from the aftermath of "creative destruction".

As the country prepares to mark Merdeka, it is incumbent on all to ensure that peace and security is maintained. Political stability is one of the main pillars of a stable nation, which foreign investors look for before deciding where to put their money. The on-going political brinksmanship does not send the right signals to businessmen and entrepreneurs.

The global economic difficulties that lie ahead call for collective effort to meet the challenges head-on. We do not, and should not, be shooting ourselves in the foot. There is much to celebrate as Malaysia marks 51 years of independence, even as we deal with the internal problems. Let us not destroy what has been built, but strengthen the ties and move forward as a united nation proud of our diversity.