Negaraku – a beacon of unity
WHEN I was attending primary school, at one assembly session my late headmistress Madam Proctor did mention to all of us that the moment the national anthem was played we should all stand to attention.
After one week I arrived late for the assembly and the national anthem, Negara Ku, was already being sung. I stood upright and after completion I joined my class line.
The headmistress called me to the front and commended me for my patriotism and I was rewarded with a 2B pencil which she plucked from her hand bag. Mind you at that time it was a luxury and I felt proud. To date during any official function be it small or big I sing the national anthem loud and clear. At times my friends have chided me but others have been inspired and on a few occasions I was honourably mentioned by the VIPs during their speech.
With reference to the Negara Ku campaign I am appalled to find that during my visit to many schools within my vicinity many of the schools hardly sing the Negara Ku and where they do, there are students who don’t move their lips, let alone sing the song.
Parents must instil in their children a sense of pride and patriotism towards Negara Ku, Tanah Tumpah nya Darah Ku where this can instil the spirit of patriotism among Malaysians and promote and foster unity.
At my beloved school, the Anglo Chinese Secondary School, in Klang students from all races and backgrounds would mingle without reservation and our teachers treated all of us fairly and told us that we would cherish the wonderful times in our alma mater.
It is never too late to nurture love for the nation. As parents we should encourage our children to befriend children of other races and appreciate their different ethnic backgrounds.
Multiracialism is part of our rich history and heritage which will eventually serve as a bedrock of racial integration.
All organisations and government agencies must also play their roles in creating, maintaining and promoting unity as their prime objective to achieve integration and a Bangsa Malaysia.
Education and economic development must be dispensed equally to all citizens and this can further strengthen mutual respect.
Professor emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim, who was instrumental in drafting the Rukun Negara, in his memoirs I, KKK talks about Malaysia’s distinctiveness as a nation and the importance of teaching History in strengthening ties among communities.
We should never forget that our beloved nation was built by our founding fathers, all of whom practised moderation.
Our beloved nation is a truly a mosaic of races, cultures, religions, languages and dialects. It is a beacon of unity in diversity.
Puvananderan Ganasamoorthy Klang