Listen to royal advice so we don’t self-destruct

MALAYSIANS were recently blessed with sound advice on unity from our royal rulers.

Firstly, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayattuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, in his address at Maulidur celebrations last weekend, said that “the Prophet’s administration emphasised the feeling of love among each other, and could universally be used as a major example to generate solidarity among the people” (“Respect and love key to solidarity”, Nov 10; online at bit.ly/ star_agong).

Secondly, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, in his address at the National Islamic Affairs Council’s golden jubilee celebrations on Nov 7, said Muslims should not be passive spectators, as this would allow Islam to be hijacked by groups that manipulate the religion to fit their narrow purpose (“Sultan: Islam is shaped by its people”, Nov 8; online at bit.ly/star_ royal).

Indeed, this could easily be applicable to all Malaysians regardless of race or religion. These words from royalty could become a clarion call to all Malaysians to adopt their meaning to strengthen national unity.

It is my humble wish – and surely that of all patriotic Malaysians – to appeal to our illustrious Council of Rulers to more strongly promote this national philosophy of resistance to and intolerance of any form of racism, religious bigotry and the violation of human rights.

We should follow up with a national movement that could impose effective checks and balances on politicians and even some wayward academics who uttered sentiments that have harmed our maruah negara (national dignity).

We are aware that these antiMalaysian statements have caused much hurt to a large number of Malaysians and even shaken the confidence of friendly foreign investors in Malaysia’s future. Many have asked whether this is, in fact, the deep state intention of the organisers of the recent “Malay Dignity Congress”. If this negative perception is not corrected and put right in time, and before any elections, we may witness unfortunate consequences that could undermine our national well- being.

As a proud non-Malay Malaysian, and no doubt like many others, I feel sadly pained by attacks on my Malaysian identity and “Malaysianess”. I ask my fellow Malaysians who uttered those hurtful words how they would feel in our shoes. Where are the truly Malaysian values as reflected in our Constitution and Rukun Negara?

Actually, all our socioeconomic successes so far, and our hard-won peace and stability, could be easily wiped out by racial and religious extremists and corrupt leaders. Thus we as patriotic Malaysians should stoutly rally around our royal rulers and supportive political leaders to build mutual respect and love for each other. Let us all reject hatemongers in our elections.

We need to ensure that we will not be hijacked by extremists, as advised by our wise rulers, or we will easily self-destruct.

Hidup Malaysia dan semua warga negara patriotic Malaysia!

TAN SRI RAMON NAVARATNAM Chairman, Asli Center of Public Policy Studies