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Merdeka Day is approaching, and there are already those who are in the Merdeka celebration mood and spirit.
Thus, as a nation comprised of various races and cultural and religious backgrounds, it’s good for us as one Malaysian identity to take stock of how far the nation has come after 60 years.
Among the areas of main interest to most of us is the achievement with respect to unity in diversity, inclusiveness, and equitable opportunity for every race, whether it’s with respect to employment or opportunity in placement in universities.
When people from diversified backgrounds are given the opportunity to contribute, this, in some ways, could create an innovative culture and operational excellence. This inclusive approach will give a sense of belonging and benefit the organisation.
There will be tangible benefits, too, as it will attract diverse talent, propel organisational growth, and enhance the overall business performance.
I was among the lucky few from the rural area able to realise the importance of embracing differences, diversity in education, and inclusivity from a young age since my father was in the military and frequently transferred from one place to another in West Malaysia.
Every year, as a nation, we have a catchy slogan for Merdeka, which, in some ways, does help trigger the spirit of unity in diversity among us. This year, without exception, we also have an equally catchy slogan as well as a very inspiring one—’Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan’ (Malaysia Madani: The Commitment of Unity Fulfils Hope),
However, this slogan should not be just fancy words. There must be follow-up action and a policy that needs to be enforced across the board because, at the end of the day, we want to see the value that comes out of that.
Unity in diversity is a representation that must also include equity and inclusiveness to ensure fair processes and inclusion to create a value-added of which a sense of belonging as a Malaysian will be one part.
However, to most of us, what we are eager to hear and know are the takeaway parts—what’s in it for us to digest and take home with respect to the salient points on the Merdeka message being shared and cascaded by PMX during the celebration.
One thing that came to my mind was the recent good news by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about opportunities in higher education for those who excel; he had reassured that meritocracy is crucial to uplift the very best among us, but at the same time, affirmative action will ensure fairness for the less fortunate.
This is a very welcoming statement, which is also in line with our aspiration to see that everyone, despite their racial and religious background, who excels in their studies will be given the opportunity to further their studies. This is the type of news that the rakyat would like to hear in PMX’s Merdeka message.
Furthermore, PMX also reiterated that there must be a balance between policies on meritocracy and affirmative action to ensure fairness. We hope that this remark will be taken into consideration and adhered to by the relevant ministry during their placement selection process.
After all, performance from students from rural areas should not be put on the same classification as students from schools with better facilities and conduciveness, like in Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru. That is what fairness and equitable opportunities mean for us from the rural areas.
Furthermore, by embracing diversity and inclusivity, we could also unlock a student’s full potential in an institution.
Other areas that might be worth being considered by PMX, apart from equal education opportunities, will be the subject of rural health, border security, businesses, roads, and internet connectivity. Also, not to forget clean water and electricity for rural Sarawak.
After 60 years following the formation of Malaysia, the way forward would be to shift our mindset and embrace a wider conversation to ensure that efforts for inclusivity are not just seen as secondary priorities but are integrated throughout all aspects of the organisation.
Thus, it’s of utmost importance for us to support PMX in his quest to realise his vision for the country.
At the end of the day, we would like to see him unleash his full potential in his capacity as PMX.
For us, this is a work in progress and a continuous improvement journey that includes action and continuous commitment, and not a one-time thing.
Lating Minggang is the Walikota for Kapit District Council.
This is the personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of DayakDaily. Letters to the Editor may be lightly edited for clarity.
