Ecoworld staff live by simple tips on embracing diversity.
Being respectful of one another is the best way to ensure a united country
SHAH ALAM: There are many ways to describe what being Anak-Anak Malaysia means.
For Eco World Development Bhd divisional general manager Datin Natrah Abdullah, it is the chance to grow up surrounded by different races.
“I grew up in a society where we were already starting to understand each other’s religion and race. This helped us to be respectful to one another,” she said in an interview.
To be a united country, she believes that people should not confine themselves to their own racial group.
The moment in the country’s history she is most proud of was in 1957 when Malaysians decided to chart their future and build the country as their own.
Ecoworld chief operating officer Datuk S. Rajoo spoke about key players, some of whom came from humble backgrounds, who helped put Malaysia on the world map.
A Malaysia he dreams of for his children is one where there are no differences between any race, he said. He also recounted the Malaysian spirit in the 1960s.
“During my childhood days, my friends of other races would drop by my place for meals. We were all like one family,” he said, adding that there were times he and his friends would even eat together from the same plate.
A message he would give Malaysians is that “the country is full of gold and all you need to do is bend down and pick it up”.
He said the country provides opportunities for those with knowledge and willingness to work hard, and for that, he is grateful.
To keep peace and unity, he said his organisation ensured no race was treated differently from others.
For Eco Ardence sales and marketing assistant manager Sharmeela Sukumaran, the uniqueness of being a Malaysian is the opportunity to pick up different languages.
Sharmeela, who is of Chinese and Indian parentage, speaks five languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Tamil, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Corporate services investor relations senior manager Azril Rashid said adults had a role in ensuring the younger generation keeps peace and unity among Malaysians.
Like Azril, talent management support services senior manager Erica Loh said she hoped her son would always mingle with people of different races.
Group branding senior executive Wan Keang Thai’s message for young Malaysians is simple – be proud of the nation and always remember your roots.
For him, there is no place he would rather be than in Malaysia as the food, culture and diversity are the best he has experienced so far.
The Anak-Anak Malaysia Walk 2016 is aimed at promoting unity, harmony and tolerance ahead of the National Day.
It will kick off at the Bukit Bintang City Centre on Aug 14.
The 3.4km walk starting from the junction of Jalan Imbi and Jalan Pudu at the site of the former Pudu Jail, will be flagged off by Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz.
#AnakAnakMalaysia Walk is organised by Star Media Group, in collaboration with Ecoworld.
Other sponsors include the Car Sponsor: Proton, Gold Sponsor: Panasonic and Silver Sponsors: Tenaga Nasional and YES.
Register now at http://sites.thestar.com.my/aamwalk/
The first 3,000 participants to register will receive a Golden Screen Cinemas movie ticket each.
For more information, contact 03-7967 1388 ext 1432/1529/1243 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).