By Lim Kit Siang
I wish all Muslims in Malaysia Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
This is an auspicious occasion for non-Muslims in Malaysia to join their Muslim compatriots to commemorate a national celebration to underline a greater national unity, harmony and solidarity built over 56 years of Malaysian nationhood.
Recent events particularly in the past three months have given rise to valid and legitimate concerns about the success of Malaysian nation out of the diverse races, languages, religions, cultures and territories in the country in the sixth decade of Malaysian nationhood.
Immediately after the recent 13th general elections, Utusan Malaysia bannered a front-page headline: “Apa Lagi Cina Mau?”
This question should not have been asked, just as questions like “Apa Lagi Melayu Mau?”; “Apa Lagi Indian Mau”, “Apa Lagi Kadazan Mau” or “Apa Lagi Dayak Mau?”
It may be understandable for such questions to be asked in the first decade of nationhood, but something is very wrong when such questions are asked in the sixth decade of nationhood.
The right question to be asked should be: “Apa Lagi Malaysia Mau?”
And the answer would include good governance; successful battle against corruption in public life; public safety and low crime; economic justice, progress and prosperity for all and a world-class educational system from primary, secondary to university levels.
Something is very wrong in Malaysian nation-building with the recurrence of national controversies from jibes like “Balik Cina”, “Balik India” or even “Balik Indonesia”.
This is time for national reflection by all Malaysians who love this country and who have no intention to migrate to another country how to make Malaysia more united, harmonious, resilient, developed and prosperous for all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.
Let all Malaysians ponder the question: “Apa Lagi Malaysia Mau?”
