Put Malaysia first as we celebrate National Day

COME Aug 31, we will again celebrate our National Day. This year’s theme, “Malaysia Prihatin”, is apt and relevant as it shows how, as a nation, we care for our fellow citizens and especially those who are less fortunate.

This is a celebration in the new normal. Let us thank and commend the frontliners who have helped us through a difficult period with Covid-19.

In commemorating National Day, I believe we need to uphold and practise the 5Rs – Rukun Negara, racial harmony, respect, reconciliation and religious tolerance. These are the core values that will enhance our national unity.

We need to also reduce the 5Ds that divide us – political, wealth, geographical, digital and racial. The younger generation must be involved in the struggle to end these divides so that we can build a better future for all Malaysians.

We should re-imagine Malaysia as a united, tolerant, progressive, inclusive, sustainable and technologically-enabled and advanced nation where the full potential of every Malaysian is developed and harnessed.

At the same time, we need to put more focus on the 4Is – integrity, innovation, inclusiveness and institutions – to ensure an innovative future for our people, leaders with integrity and effective and strong institutions.

To achieve all of these, we need to put Malaysia first. Let us put aside narrow sectarian interests and put Malaysia first in what we do and say. In this, I thank Tawfik Ismail, an ex-MP and son of our former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Dr Ismail for founding a new group called “Malaysia First”, which now has over 1,000 members. I am honoured to be invited to become part of this group. Let this be a movement that brings more like-minded Malaysians together to celebrate our diversity and commitment to our country.

As this year is also the 50th anniversary of the Rukun Negara, we are organising a roundtable on Sept 1 to remind young Malaysians about its principles and, more importantly, objectives, which are:

> Achieving and fostering greater unity;

> Preserving a democratic way of life;

> Creating a just society where the prosperity of the country can be enjoyed together in a fair and equitable manner;

> Ensuring a liberal approach towards our rich and varied cultural traditions; and

> Building a prosperous society that will make use of science and technology.

Let us celebrate our independence, unity and diversity and uphold moderation and tolerance.

Selamat Hari Merdeka. TAN SRI MICHAEL YEOH President KSI Strategic Institute