In a recent interview with Sin Chew Daily, the Johor Ruler, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar was quoted as saying that: “When someone asks me where I am from when I'm overseas, I'll always say, I am Malaysian.”
Although taking pride in the “Bangsa Johor” concept that upholds the racial and religious diversity of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim said all races are seen as the same. In fact, according to the report, in some official events, he would see to it that there is mixed seating to allow people of all races to mingle together rather than segregating themselves by ethnicity.
Interestingly, in the interview with the Sin Chew Daily it was reported that the Sultan's great-great-grandmother was of Chinese descent. According to him: "In my family, we have different bloodlines; we are of mixed heritage. That's why I never looked down on any ethnic group. And this is why our foundation treats all ethnic groups fairly."
He added: "The Chinese bloodline is part of Bangsa Johor; so are the Indian bloodline and the local Malay people."
Talking about bloodlines, how many of us here can say for sure that we come from a 100 per cent “pure” ethnic lineage, if there is such a thing as that?
Moreover with inter-marriages getting more common, what guarantee is there that our own descendants will forever remain a pure Malay, a pure Chinese, a pure Indian, a pure Melanau or a pure Kadazan?
Whether we accept it or not, in a multiracial society, there is a real chance that one of our family members might marry someone from another ethnic group. Can we stop them?
In fact, some years ago, NST columnist Nathaniel Tan, in a piece entitled “Building a worthy Malaysia” wrote that Malaysians have to step out of their comfort zones and abandon the siege mentality nurtured by decades of racialized politics.
Moreover he pointed out that a situation where minorities are only fighting for minorities, or majorities fighting for the majority locks us into a cycle of mistrust and conflict. Isn't this true in our country today?
He also touched on “empathy” and the need to identify common values and principles that can form the basis of genuine national unity - values that can unite Malaysians of different races and religions.
Based on what we often see in social media at least, we may seem to be doing fine, always willing to help other Malaysians in need (regardless of race) without any hesitation. Yet, at times, we tend to be insensitive towards people from another race, culture or religion!
So much so that a columnist in a local tabloid once asked, almost in exasperation: "Are we really a multiracial country or a multi-racist country?" As comical as it may sound there is a lot of truth to that statement.
Furthermore, there appear to be many "man-made walls" dividing us - our financial status, our perceived racial superiority, or our enhanced religious consciousness, to name just three. And aren't we all also guilty of looking down on other people based on racial stereotypes?
Indeed, we need to show more genuine humility, a willingness to accommodate each other's views (as long as they are just and not offensive) plus be prepared to “give and take”; in short, we really need to show more empathy when dealing with our fellow Malaysians.
Yet, we continue to extol the values of our own race, religion and language while openly running down others like what many of us (netizens) and politicians alike tend to do. There is ample evidence of all that toxicity in social media and in the comments section of online news portals!
We are in our 66th year of nationhood but until we admit from the heart that we are “Malaysian” first - and start to walk the talk - Merdeka Day will just be another meaningless holiday!
Still, for as long as there is life in our body, it's never too late to discard our prejudices and mistrusts. And when we succeed in doing that, our life in this beautiful, unique country will be less bitter - and so much happier.
JK Joseph is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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