The True Spirit of One Malaysia

As I was manning the information counter at the expo that my company organized last weekend, a lady walked up to me and said, "Excuse me, is that a bumi hall?" While my eyes followed the direction her finger was pointing, the thought that I might have possibly misunderstood her question crossed my mind.

"Sorry, ma'am," I found myself saying, "What was your question again?"

"Oh, I took a peek into that hall and saw that there are a lot of bumis in there. So I was not sure if there are different halls for bumis and non-bumis."

So I did not misunderstand her question after all.

"Oh, no," I quickly replied, "There is no distinction between bumis non-bumis. All halls are open to all visitors." Then I added, "One Malaysia, right?" To this, the lady gave a light chuckle and walked away.

A few moments later, the implications of her question sank in. The fact that such an idea actually crossed the mind of a Malaysian and that she saw the need to check if there are halls specifically designated for people of different races troubled me greatly. Do we still fail to look beyond racial lines after more than five decades of nationhood?

Indeed, considering all that Malaysia had gone through in the past few weeks, those last three words that I uttered seem to have been unintentionally laced with cynicism.

But do not get me wrong. I am a firm supporter of the idea of One Malaysia that seeks "to preserve and enhance this unity in diversity which has always been our strength and remains our best hope for the future" and to encourage the rakyat to identify ourselves first and foremost as Malaysians, while preserving our unique cultural identity as a complement to our national identity.

However, such a noble and idealistic concept seems rather risible in the light of the reality of our political situation. After all, the ruling coalition consists of three main parties separated along racial lines: the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC). If we are truly one, why can't we have the United Malaysian National Organisation, the Malaysian Citizen Association, and the Malaysian Interracial Congress instead?

In some aspects, we have indeed come a long way since the May 13, 1969 racial riot. Yet after all this while, we are still living with the ghost of May 13. The bloodshed and violence of that fateful day has ever since haunted the generation that has lived through the event, frightening many into silence and acquiescence as they have learned to quietly accept the "lot" that is dealt to them, even int he only place that they can truly call home. But for my generation, we have heard so many different versions of the event from parents, teachers, and history textbooks that we have ironically become oblivious to what really happened on that day. Quoting George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Let alone those who do not even know that actually took place in the past.

The July 9 scare that involved the shutting down of downtown Kuala Lumpur may have been partially reminiscent of May 13, and yes, my generation will always remember 709 just as my parents' generation remembers 513, but we will remember this day for a very different reason: 709 reversed the effects of 513, because on July 9, 2011, thousands of Malaysians of all races stood up together in unity for a common cause: to fight for that which is right and just. And all these not for the benefit of any particular racial group, but for the good of the country in which God has placed us. Those who stood up did so because we care for this place that we proudly call home and we care enough to defend our rights as citizens of this nation. If this is not the spirit of One Malaysia, I don't know what else is.

On July 9, 2011, One Malaysia ceased to be merely an idealistic concept; on this day, the world stole a glimpse of the attainable reality of One Malaysia, when Malaysians managed to look beyond the color of our skin. On this day, the cause of Bersih 2.0 has achieved what the government has failed to achieve in the past 54 years: the unity of all Malaysians, regardless of race.

While the Deputy Prime Minister unashamedly declared that he is first and foremost a Malay, those of us who see ourselves first and foremost as Malaysians hunger and thirst for justice and integrity in Malaysia.

For the concept of One Malaysia to transcend mere idealism, Malaysia should be only led by those who perceive themselves first and foremost as Malaysians. Those who do not see themselves primarily as Malaysians are not fit to govern this land called Malaysia.

Malaysia belongs to Malaysians. And I am proud to be Malaysian. Let us join hands with our fellow countrymen and further the reality of One Malaysia!