CONTRIBUTE TO IT

charades, to express love of our country?

Could we go beyond the superficial and work on something truly meaningful?

It is common to see people patronising others to please them.

The love of one’s country has to start with loving oneself. Only by learning to respect ourselves can we do the same to others.

But, the majority will fail at the first hurdle as petty quarrels are common among family members, as well as relatives and colleagues.

We must also learn to love our work and do a great job that others will be proud of.

Instead, many Malaysians do a lousy job and yet are proud of themselves.

When we are efficient and productive, we contribute to our nation’s economy and the taxes we pay add to the government’s coffers to develop our country.

On the other hand, if we treat our work as unimportant and earn low wages, we will be draining our country’s resources by relying on government facilities when we fall sick.

When we contribute to charity and society with our talent or time to help the poor, sick or the needy, we are showing love to our people and country.

On the other hand, those involved in pilferage, leakages and wastages are bleeding the nation. Bigots have a field day pulling others down instead of lifting up their communities, which they are not prepared to do as it requires too much work.

When answering a supplementary question in the Dewan Rakyat, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said extremist groups fan feelings of anger and hatred, as this tactic was easier than to ask people to uphold principles and practise moderation.

Those who have the greatest love for our country fight against corruption, poverty, injustice, ignorance, extremism, pollution and degradation of our environment.

C.Y. MING Ampang, Selangor