Letter to editor
WE have heard loudly and clearly from politicians from various parties their perception of diversity after the Kepala Batas incident of a student asking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim about students scoring good marks but not being able to get into matriculation.
The approaching state polls had brought politicians from both sides of the political divide together, attempting to influence the electorate with the incidents.
Please hear from a Malaysian citizen who is not a politician and does not belong to any political parties but only votes during elections, my perception on this trending issue.
No parent of any race or religion will allow their children who perform well and score well to be prevented from furthering their studies. If there is a system in place to prevent their “bright spark” from getting a university education, they will definitely oppose it.
Having said this, the affirmative action system in place may have its flaws, which the government needs to look into to determine whether or not it is abused. We must make sure our “bright spark” from whatever race or religion gets the best education so that they will be loyal to the country and contribute to its growth and development.
Allowing brain drain from the country is an indication of deep frustration, which the government should be concerned about, not ignore. We cannot keep the country trapped in the middle income bracket by bringing in low paid workers this prevents the country from becoming a developed nation.
In a family, if a certain child or children are segregated by parents showing bias, how can they have loyalty towards the family? If at the microlevel this can be the scenario, what will be the result if citizens perceive segregation to be happening at the national level?
The resulting frustration will result in people not being loyal to the government, which is pertinent to national building. The emblem of the pledge of Rukun Negara is only found in sound and syllables on paper to create peace and unity for decades but in terms of peace and unity among Malaysians, it is a mirage.
Whatever the government that comes to power, it must implement justice with equity which must be communicated to the citizens because there are always politicians who are waiting to interpret according to their whims and fancies, thus highjacking in their favour.
In today’s world with the advent of the internet, narratives created by various quarters influence citizens. The government must not only be heard but seen to be fair to the citizens.
Ultimately, regardless of our identities – be it race, religion, or origin – we are all human beings, part of the species Homo sapiens. Any form of division, labelling, or categorisation will detrimentally impact the populace.
Taxpayers are citizens and it is only with that money that the government translates policies into action. If citizens perceive the government to have a double standard, who is to blame? There is sufficient evidence all over the world where chaos results due to the frustration of its citizens.
There won’t be a victor, especially when the frustrations of the majority are suppressed. In today’s interconnected world, if stories of injustice resonate globally, it will elicit multifaceted responses that can’t be easily measured, influencing investments and various other aspects.
May our prayers extend beyond mere words, encompassing thoughts and deeds, driven by determination and dedication. Malaysians will put all their effort into making this blessed country unified and peaceful. – Aug 10, 2023
Tamil Maran (KT Maran)
Seremban
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main photo credit: Booking.com
