TOMORROW, Buddhists in Malaysia celebrate Vesak Day to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Gautama Buddha.
It is also a reminder that Malaysia is the only Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) country that celebrates the religious festivals of four major religions — Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism — in the form of public holidays which makes Malaysia especially suited to be a role model for the world for inter-ethnic, inter-religious, inter-cultural and inter-civilisation dialogue, understanding, tolerance and harmony.
The question is whether Perikatan Nasional (PN) especially PAS, through the three state governments that it controls, supports a national mission to make Malaysia a role model for the world in inter-ethnic, inter-religious, inter-cultural and inter-civilisation dialogue, understanding, tolerance and harmony.
I have no doubt that if PAS was under the leadership of the late Tuan Guru Nik Aziz (Nik Mat), PAS would have no hesitation in supporting a national vision to make Malaysia the role model for the world in inter-ethnic, inter-religious, inter-cultural and inter-civilisation dialogue, understanding, tolerance and harmony.
But I have my doubts that this objective will find support from PAS under the present leadership of Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
PN leaders are engrossed with how to topple Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unity government and recreate the infamous Sheraton Move political conspiracy, reckless of whether Malaysia will end up as a divided, failed, and kleptocratic state and have no time or interest for any vision to make Malaysia a first-rate, world-class nation.
This is the first time in nearly 45 years that Malaysia has hoped to reset and return to the original nation-building principles for a plural Malaysia and to stop Malaysia’s decline as a second-rate, mediocre country.
We must dare to envision a global role for Malaysia and not end up as a divided, failed and kleptocratic state in the next few decades.
The question is whether Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or region, are prepared to dream big and work hard to realise the Malaysian Dream. — May 3, 2023
Veteran lawmaker and retired DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang is the incumbent MP for Iskandar Puteri.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
