‘Malaysia’s progress must include cultivation of essential values’

SIBU: Malaysians must recapture and retain the innocence of that first goodwill spirit and pride of the nation, says Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Most Reverend Julian Leow Beng Kim in a National Day and Malaysia Day 2018 message.

He said Malaysia’s progress as a nation must include the cultivation of essential values which are integral to the harmony and unity of its people.

“This translates to building strong bonds of understanding and unity among the various races and religions,” he said in the statement released in a Catholic website recently.

Julian, who is also president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, signed the message also on behalf of the Archbishop of Kuching Most Rev Simon Poh, Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu Most Rev John Wong, Bishop of Penang Rt Rev Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Malacca- Johor Rt Rev Bernard Paul, Bishop of Keningau Rt Rev Datuk Cornelius Piong, Bishop of Sandakan Rt Rev Datuk Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of Miri Rt Rev Richard Ng and Bishop of Sibu Rt Rev Joseph Hii.

In the message, Julian said in the Proclamation of Independence, first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman said the nation ‘shall be forever a sovereign democratic and independent state founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations’.

“It is perhaps timely that we reflect, advocate and act upon these founding principles of nationhood that in time, may break the narrow and selfish nationalism indoctrinated upon us in the past,” he said.

He said Malaysians’ moral duty did not end at the ballot box, but much work must be done to put the nation back on the path of national togetherness, where good governance, fairness and justice must no longer be mere slogans but become facts of everyday life.

“This is only possible if we as faithful and responsible citizens assume the responsibility of fostering this spirit of unity, trust, fairness and accountability in our own daily lives.”

He said every choice that they make must take them closer and in favour of the common good and preserving Malaysia in all its colours, worship, diversity and uniqueness.

He said Malaysians must avoid choices that only serve narrow and personal aims.

“We are Malaysia. The friendships we build across our social boundaries, across our comfort zones and across racial and religious divides are what makes Malaysia the nation that it is,” he said.