LET’S START THEM YOUNG IN BEING PATRIOTIC
AT a talk given to students of Seri Stamford College, Kuala Lumpur, in conjunction with National Day, I was asked how to make Malaysians patriotic.
Patriotism should be inculcated in childhood because when children love their home and country, they grow up appreciating their heritage, diversity and history.
They would strive to improve Malaysia.
Patriotism can be instilled in students through awareness, education and knowledge. The education system should inculcate in students a sense of pride and belonging to the nation.
Only through this sense of belonging can Malaysia’s younger generation be moulded into responsible and mature citizens and future leaders.
Children can be moulded into not looking at things through coloured lenses.
Let children grow up together so that they get to know their peers.
The younger generation must be made aware of the importance of unity, social cohesion and reconciliation as these are the cornerstones of the nation’s success and development.
It is imperative that they forge closer relations.
Principals and teachers need to use creativity and skills to get students to participate in activities that boost racial integration.
They need to encourage students to understand one another better and to have mutual respect for each other.
They must be the prime movers of our educational transformation, not only to teach and impart knowledge and skills, but also to unite students.
Parents need to practise good values to inspire their children to emulate behaviour that will help them build a stable nation.
Values such as honesty, integrity, tolerance, diligence, fairness, respect for elders and civic-consciousness must be upheld.
After 61 years of independence, Malaysians should be more united. We should identify ourselves first as a Malaysian.
I have always believed that being Malaysian does not make us any less Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban or Bidayuh.
National unity and integration can be made stronger by inculcating patriotism in people.
History has proven that Malaysia was able to overcome challenges when the people were united.
Our diversity is our strength and it is the recipe of success in achieving development and socio-economic progress, as well as our ability to conquer adversities.
Malaysians, especially the younger generation, need to appreciate the concept of unity under 1Malaysia where everyone accepts the uniqueness of others so that we can live together.
It is the key to a peaceful country.
Nationhood and nation building are meaningless if the younger generation doesn’t learn values.
Youth can transform the nation and bring about positive change in the country.
They can influence their peers to contribute to nation building.
We should be mindful that the aim of Vision 2020 is not only to make Malaysia an industrialised nation, but also to ensure it is developed in all aspects, including moral and ethical dimensions.
Malaysia has established many milestones and it aspires to record more achievements.
Among its goals is to be an econation built on sustainable development.