YOURSAY | When we were truly anak bangsa M'sia

YOURSAY | 'It's important for M’sians to remember we are all brothers and sisters in humanity.'

‘I couldn’t afford breakfast so he shared his with me for 6 years’

Cogito Ergo Sum: These are nice stories and memories of an era long gone.

We should call ourselves anak bangsa Malaysia. Not Malay, Chinese, Melanau, Dayak or Indians and lain-lain!

It should have been part of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1971 to forge the anak bangsa Malaysia identity among the citizens of the country.

There were no petty jealousies or envy with meritocracy, and the nation was founded on pragmatism. We are now well on our way down the wrong road, taking a sharp right in our politics.

It’s almost impossible to reverse this truck called Malaysia barrelling downhill with no brakes.

PurpleKijang9104: Great golden days of yesteryear. Would it be possible to return to the good times with the present-day politics of greed and jealousy?

The politics of today are dividing us and there is no effort on the part of any leader to bring the races together - unless it suits them.

Even Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has become greedy in trying to win over the Malays at the expense of other races, for him to remain in office for another term.

We trusted this man to unite the races in this beautiful country, but he has failed miserably.

Ipoh pp: There’s no point in telling all these bedtime stories about the past. They were good while they lasted.

Today, we are compartmentalised into boxes in schools, at work and even at home. Merit is not practised and just one group gets all the honey.

More non-Malays are leaving the country as there is nothing to hope for on the horizon. We are a very divided nation in all aspects of life.

Calling for unity is just lip service. I am afraid in 10 to 15 years we will be just another failed country.

We have reached a point of no return as l see it. The truth hurts but needs to be said. I am now going on 80 and have seen it all.

Just a Malaysian: Their stories are good to hear, and warm the heart, but they happened years ago.

Today, all non-Malay Muslims are treated like accidental citizens and suppressed in all aspects.

I have friends who used to defend to death why Malaysia is a great place for their children, but today they are exploring moving the kids out.

We can reminisce all we want, but when we open our eyes the problem stays the same.

Steven Ong: This right and good example should be taught in all schools, teaching them when they are still young to love and care for those in need, regardless of race, religion, or social standing.

Teach them all to share their food and wealth, even with needy Jews and Israelis, and not just Palestinians and Muslims.

This will produce loving Malaysians later on, people who will work together to build a greater nation.

Stop the divisive teachings. Many countries are already ruined by anger and hatred.

Kilimanjaro: Those wonderful memories of an era long forgotten but worth remembering. What we witness now can induce a heart attack.

Politicians who work toward fostering harmony among the races hardly get a few hundred votes. Is this the curse of the politicians or the voters?

Avisa: Most of the politicians in power now grew up in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. Why do they behave so differently from the people in the story?

Milshah: This is how you change the mindset, from race-based to Malaysian-based. They studied together at a national school.

But for these kinds of stories to happen, all races need to see each other as equals first, and not be segregated.

Yom: Thank you, Malaysiakini for this column. It is so important for ordinary Malaysians to remember that we are all brothers and sisters in humanity.

Colour, creed and religion will not divide us, but politicians will.

I hope this column is also available in Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin, and Tamil.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.

Please join the Malaysiakini WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news and views that matter.