Since independence, the politicians in this country have always been harping and selling themselves to the ordinary rakyat that only someone with the same background as them will look out for their interests.
Because the country has a melting pot of people from different ethnic backgrounds and languages, politics are broken down into factions based on these since independence.
Instead of encouraging those with the same background as them to be fearful of these differences, celebrate, learn and be knowledgeable of each other, the politicians, social engineers and moral pioneers encouraged those with the same background as them to fight over the assertions of their identities.
We can see the conflicts on the issues of race, religion, regions, languages, water reserves, genders etc.
The identity of Malaysian is used only when we are in a foreign country.
When we are at home in the country, encouraged and instigated by the politicians, we fight over the assertions of our identities.
In short, Malaysia is a nation divided against itself.
And that will not end well.
And we are seeing it happening on an increasing frequency.
But when there is a national calamity in any part of the country, the whole of Malaysia volunteers to donate cash, goods and services to the needy.
At this point, unity is expressed.
Unity is currently under assault by identity politics, the placing of group interests above individual rights and liberties.
Whether the divisions are racial, sexual or religious, the emergence or maybe re-emergence of identity politics isn’t just disuniting the country, it’s putting us at each other’s throats.
If we want to have unity, we need to flush identity politics down the toilet and collectively embrace the idea of individual rights
The first and foremost thing is the politicians.
Most of them are selfish.
Some leaders, however, urged ‘Unity in Diversity’.
Why? Unity in diversity itself is not an easy task.
Because they don’t have the guts to bring unity to Malaysia.
They themselves are divided deeply.
So are the elites and educated and well portion of Malaysians.
The majority of them have the same kind of mindset that is ruining this country.
They will be asking why should I dirty my hands and why should my son serve in the army.
Somebody else should fight for the cause while we will sit at home and watch the drama.
Unless this mindset and attitude change, nothing is possible.
The ordinary rakyat are more worried about their daily livelihood.
Many ordinary rakyat still are in a hand-to-mouth situation.
That explains why most of those who participated in public rallies on injustice are from the masses.
Yes, it cannot be disputed that unity is important.
We need to agree that we depend on one another to survive and thrive.
We are all more alike, than we are different.
We don't need to agree on everything, or indeed anything.
But respect and understanding of differences should be foremost.
In today’s borderless world, we can’t live isolated as we rely on others across the globe for food, clothing, and other invaluable resources.
Others rely on us, too.
We cannot be united solely against the world while within the nation we are divided ourselves.
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