Sarawakians value diversity
Cross-cultural bonds will only serve to enrich Malaysia
KUCHING: Embracing diversity is key to making Malaysia stronger as a nation.
Racial tolerance in a multi-ethnic society will help lay a strong foundation to enhance solidarity, said 30-year-old cultural performer Wan Ahmad Tamizie.
“All should play a role to promote unity and not let cultural differences or religious beliefs create walls separating us. Once we look beyond race and religion, we will be a stronger and more united Malaysia.
“This upcoming Malaysia Day is a good time to remind ourselves of the roles we ought to take on to enhance solidarity in this beautiful country,” he said, waving the Jalur Gemilang to support Star Media Group’s Raise The Flag initiative.
The Sebuyau native said embracing diversity has enabled multi-ethnic Malaysians to enrich their own culture as they adopted positive traits from one another.
“Over the past 54 years since the formation of Malaysia, the people have developed love and appreciation for the diverse cultural inheritance, food and traditional clothing, which includes adopting traditional motifs of other ethnicities.
“This goes to show that Malaysians have absorbed a little bit of each other into their lives and this is how it should be,” he added.
Wan Ahmad, who has worked at the Sarawak Cultural Village for the past seven years, said spreading love to promote racial unity always begins with developing deep understanding for each other’s culture.
Nur Arrisa Raisyyah, 26, said the multi-racial society in Malaysia is something she would not trade for all the luxury that other countries can offer.
“I love to travel and experience new things. Visiting different parts of the country can be likened to seeing a whole new world because of the rich culture found in the different states.
“We don’t have to go far to broaden our mind. There is so much for us to experience, just by travelling to every corner of Malaysia. The diversity in our society has made this nation colourful,” she said.
The food-loving Kuching lass enjoys sampling delicacies from other ethnic groups as well as different interpretations of dishes from state to state.
The Sarawak Cultural Village performer also learnt traditional dances of other ethnic groups so that she could understand different cultures better.
“I have friends from the peninsula who would ask a lot of questions about Sarawak. I’ve never grown tired of explaining to them about our culture. Our knowledge and appreciation of each other’s culture has made us closer as Malaysians,” she said.
Star Media Group’s two-month Raise The Flag initiative aims to strengthen patriotism and unity among Malaysians. It ends on Malaysia Day on Sept 16. The main sponsor is Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd and the co-sponsor is Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd.
To greet Malaysia Day in style, look out for the paper’s final special issue on Sept 14. To bulk order this issue, contact The Star’s customer care unit at 1-300-887-827 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Malaysians can participate in the campaign by using the cutout templates to create the Jalur Gemilang and “T-shirt”; pose with the flag and decorated T-shirt for a photograph and post it on social media with the hashtag #RaiseTheFlagMY.
You can also share your photo at facebook.com/raisetheflagmy and be in the running to win prizes such as staycations and dining vouchers.
Submissions with at least 15 people “wearing” the T-shirts and waving the flags stand to win a RM4,000 buffet for 100 people from Original Kayu Nasi Kandar; and winning group school entries will receive Pizza Hut vouchers.
For details and the full list of prizes, see thestar.com.my/raisetheflag