Lee: Inculcate patriotism during childhood years
SIBU: Patriotism should be inculcated during childhood because when children love their home and country, they would grow up appreciating their heritage, diversity, history and strive to improve in all aspects.
Malaysia Unity Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said national unity and integration could be made stronger and more vibrant through inculcation of the values of patriotism.
“Our diversity is our strength and it is the recipe for success in achieving development and socio-economic progress, as well as our ability to conquer various adversities. Malaysians of different ethnicity, religion and skin colour complement each other and our diversity should not be an obstacle for us to lead a united and harmonious life,” he said in a media statement yesterday.
According to Lee, patriotism can be instilled in students through awareness, education and knowledge.
“The education system should be tailored to inculcate a sense of pride and belonging to the nation. A sense of belonging is a significant element that needs to be nurtured and preserved among the students. Only through the sense of belonging, Malaysia’s younger generation could be moulded into responsible and mature citizens as well as leaders of the country in the future,” he pointed out.
Lee stressed that the younger generation must be made aware of the importance of unity, social cohesion and reconciliation as these are the cornerstone of the nation’s success and development.
“As students are the future leaders of the nation, it is imperative that they forge closer relations despite differences in race, culture and religion. Fostering unity should begin in the schools where efforts can be made to instil the values of inter-racial harmony, unity and peace.”
In this regard, he said teachers need to use creativity and skills to get students of all races to participate in indoor or outdoor activities that enhance racial integration and unity.
Lee emphasised: “School principals and teachers must encourage students to understand one another better and to have mutual respect for each other.
“They must be the prime movers of our educational transformation, not only to teach and impart knowledge and skills but also to unite students of different races through activities in line with the aspiration of a united Malaysia.”
Turning to parents, he said they need to cultivate and practise positive values in their daily lives so as to inspire their children to emulate good behaviour that would help them build a stable nation despite the differences.
“We should be mindful that the aim of Vision 2020 is not only to make Malaysia a fully industrialised nation in the economic sense but also to ensure it is completely developed from all aspects including from the moral and ethical dimensions,” Lee said.