SHAH ALAM, Aug 31 — The country’s National Day ought not only to be celebrated for Malaysia’s emancipation from colonial power but should also be a time for self-reflection and self-assessment, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Aside from commemorating the sacrifices of the nation’s security forces and military, whose members played a crucial role in upholding Malaysia’s dignity and fighting for the sovereignty of the beloved homeland, National Day should also be used to consider its position on the global stage, and of Malaysians’ collective role as citizens.
“In Selangor, we have just undergone a somewhat intense and hard-fought election process, which some quarters have made thus due to their behaviour in crossing boundaries and disregarding good manners.
“Though the (election) process is over, it does not mean that everything which has happened can be justified or forgotten, especially if some individuals still view politics as a zero-sum game,” he said.
Speaking at the celebrations on the eve of the 66th National Day at Dataran Kemerdekaan in Shah Alam yesterday night, Amirudin said politics and the democratic process should not be seen as a winner-takes-all scenario.
“It should never be turned into a zero-sum game. Like every aspect of life, especially communal life in Malaysia, there should be moderation, and everyone should be aware of their limits, for we are all citizens and children of Malaysia.
“Now is the time for a process of national reconciliation to be achieved by our country’s leaders and society. This reconciliation process aims to reduce the sharpness that we have seen since the irresponsible events of February 2020, which disregarded the democratic process and denied the direct involvement and role of the people in determining Malaysia’s future,” he said.
The Menteri Besar was referring to the Sheraton Move, when several MPs in the Dewan Rakyat switched party support, resulting in the Pakatan Harapan-led Federal government losing a Parliamentary majority and its eventual collapse, 22 months after it was first voted into office during the 14th General Election on May 9, 2018.
Amirudin also stressed the need to avoid what he called the ‘tyranny of the majority and tyranny over minorities’ in Malaysia, citing a phrase by the 19th-century French philosopher Alexis Charles Henri Clérel, the Comte de Tocqueville.
“Democracy does not belong to politicians or party leaders alone, just as the independence of the Federation of Malaya was not the sole achievement of the Father of Independence of Malaysia, but was also attained through the roles of every person who lived and struggled through those times.
“And the newfound understanding of independence is bequeathed to us, the present generation, to shape and carve our nation’s future with our own hands,” he said.
As such, Amirudin said the question that lies before all Malaysians is what kind of nation do they want to build and realise, in the years leading up to the country’s centennial in 2057.
“What roles can we play as citizens of this country? Can we sow values and empower our dignity, build an honourable economy that can provide opportunities for us as Malaysians to compete globally?
“Or will we be content with just resting on our laurels (jaguh kampung) while watching neighbouring countries advance and leave in the dust?” he said.
Though Malaysia has emerged from the grasp of external physical colonisation, it faces the threat of colonisation from groups that want to take advantage of its people’s discontent, who seek to set the nation back while filling their own pockets and bellies.
“As citizens and Malaysians, we should not be complacent; we must be vigilant about the agendas and actions of such groups.
Malaysia will not succeed if the country is in chaos and division. Our diversity and differences are our strength,” Amirudin said.
Despite the daunting challenges, the Menteri Besar remains confident of the possibility of striking on ahead in the future, if all Malaysians can stand united with one another.
“If we can stand shoulder to shoulder, together, and with one voice, express our commitment to move forward while embracing our unique differences, I am confident that when August 31, 2057, and (September 16) 2063 dawns upon us, we will no longer be seen as just another Southeast Asian country situated between Singapore and Thailand.
“Instead, I believe Malaysia will be among the strongest and most respected nations in Asia and in the world,” he said.
