All citizens must be made to feel as Malaysians

Let’s heed the Selangor Sultan’s advice I refer to the reports “Selangor Sultan: Keep politics out of N-Day celebrations” and “Sultan expresses concern over host of issues” (Star August 13). We are at the brink of hailing our 50th year of independence. While the whole nation is gearing up to mark the historic day with grand celebrations, The Sultan Sultan of Selangor,Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has called on politicians to put politics aside and refrain from bringing up contentious issues ahead of the 50th National Day celebrations. He also called on all to rid the nation of the numerous ills plague our society today. He has highlighted 6 major areas of serious concern which if not overcome will ruin the nation. These are corruption, bureaucratic red tape, race problems, religious intolerance, the brain drain and crime. The underlying cause of these problems is due to the increasing politicization and commercialization of our institutions and government machinery. This has resulted in the loss of professionalism in the management of the various sectors of administration in the civil service, police and judiciary. Race relations have been on the decline since independence and this is a real cause for worry. The warning by the Selangor Sultan to all politicians not to play the race card to gain political support is appropriate and timely. We hope all parties heed his call to curb such practice. The Sultan also expressed his concern over the country’s brain drain, lamenting that talented young people were leaving the country. The brain drain has incapacitated us to an extent that if it is not checked we will be the losers in the global world that is so competitive. Poor political planning, intentionally or unintentionally, and unfair policies are the major causes of the brain drain that has reached a critical stage. We fully agree with him that no one, irrespective of his race, should be denied any opportunities in his own land. The talents of all must be tapped if we want to stand a chance to survive in today’s world. Just as we needed the unity of all the races to achieve independence and fight the communist insurgency that followed, again we need that unity of all to withstand the economic onslaught by big and powerful countries. The Sultan has reminded all of us that Malaysia’s reputable position in the international scene today is because of the blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice of all Malaysians be they Malays, Chinese, Indians or the other ethnics groups. As such this country belongs to all Malaysians and everyone has a right to feel as Malaysians. This should be emphasized at all levels and in all avenues – the schools, offices, places of work and recreation. Everyone, however small, must be made to feel wanted and it is this attitude that creates a sense of belonging to the nation, which is so essential to dissipate our energy towards nation building. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has conveyed, in his ‘no holds bared speech’, one of the best messages for the 50th national Day – we must put aside our political, racial and religious differences and unite as Malaysians in our strive to bring our nation to greater heights in the next 50 years. Dr.Chris Anthony