Many Colors, One Race

BANGSA MALAYSIA?

How far have we progressed as a nation, as Bangsa Malaysia? Are we moving towards stronger unity? Do we understand and trust each other better today, or are we getting suspicious of each other’s intentions?

Are we moving forward?

What does a Malaysian look like and what is his psyche? How does he behave? Does he see himself as a Malaysian, or is he first a Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Eurasian, or Iban? Or is he foremost a child of the universe, a human being bonded to others as God’s children, superseding artificial boundaries of ethnicity, geography, history and nationalities?

A true Malaysian is universal in outlook and guided by shared values. At his or her core, a Bangsa Malaysia believes that we Malaysians are one. We absorb the best of each other’s culture making other cultures our very own. He or she is always expanding and growing, becoming better and better, stronger and stronger, and gaining from every interaction with the surroundings.

When a Bangsa Malaysia makes a decision he or she considers the needs of all. No matter if he or she is a Malay, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, Eurasian or Chinese. A true Malaysian makes the right decision through a sense of balance, justice and fairness. He or she not only leads other Malaysians but also humanity as a whole as he or she identifies with others, and others identify with him or her.

How can we be a Bangsa Malaysia?

First let us quote from our spiritual traditions.

The Hindu Scripture, The Bhagavad Gita says “I look upon all creatures equally; none are less dear to me and none more dear” and our Sikh brothers tells us that “In the hereafter there are no castes”. Move towards the east our great teacher Confucius taught us that, “All within the four seas are brothers.” Take a trip back to India and the Buddha reminds us to “See yourself in others, for your brothers and sisters are like you.” And as we move towards the west we will be greeted by the Bible in the book of Psalms to “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity”.

The Quran, claiming to be the final revelation and was sent to confirm all the previous God-sent prophets and scriptures, summarizes this concept with a call to mankind, “O Mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. The noblest of you in the sight of God is the best in conduct.”

So, how to be a Bangsa Malaysia?

The answer is unity. Unity must replace race as our consciousness and belief system. We must become more aware, understand and accept that multiplicity is God’s creation. We must see unity in diversity and learn to love all because when we dislike the other, we dislike part of His design.

We must learn to pay attention to the deeper reasons behind His creation. There are many languages, the goal is to communicate. We have many hearts, but one spirit. There are many lamps, but only one light.

We must be convinced that sticks in a bundle are unbreakable and that steel is stronger than iron, meaning….. “Bersatu Teguh, Bercerai BODOH”

Malaysia boleh?