Sin Chew Daily

Pluralism could be both a strength and weakness for any country. Even highly democratic countries like the US, UK, Europe and Australia have their share of racial violence. In the US, for example, several instances of African American deaths attributed to police brutality occured last year, sparking the "Black Lives Matter" violent conflicts across the country.

Nearer home, racial conflicts have also happened before in neighboring Indonesia and Myanmar.

While racial harmony may not be the only determinant factor of a country's accomplishment, it is nevertheless a prerequisite.

Inter-ethnic harmony is the bedrock of a country's progress towards greater prosperity while monoracialism will only take a country down the road of decline.

Malaysia is a typical multiracial country and thank God, we have never experienced any major racial conflict since the 1970s, thanks to inclusiveness and tolerance among Malaysians from very diverse cultural backgrounds that have allowed us to live peacefully over the decades, despite occasional hiccups caused by the inflammatory remarks of some irresponsible politicians or differential policies of the government. But none of these has triggered serious ethnic conflicts in this country of ours.

On Monday, Muhyiddin launched the 10-year National Unity Policy spanning from 2021 to 2030, which comes as a very timely move.

The prime minister seems to know very well that there are politicians who will keep exploiting racial sentiments, and this constitutes a major stumbling block to preserving complete harmony in our multiracial society. To bring about true unity we need to shun those politicians who work only for electoral support.

The PM says we must look at racial issues in an empathetic manner, and as such we must learn to accept and live with our differences in promoting stronger solidarity among Malaysians.

Indeed, we cannot enforce unitary lifestyle in all Malaysians, and need to think in other people's shoes when looking at an issue. This is the attitude of caring, tolerance and mutual respect embodied in the objectives of the National Unity Policy.

The three main objectives of the policy are to strengthen unity and national integration based on the Federal Constitution in forming a national identity with character, patriotism, the attitude of caring, tolerance, mutual respect and responsibility as well as producing Malaysians who appreciate and foster unity.

Take the fight against the coronavirus for instance, we all did not have much prior experience and have stumbled along the way and made numerous policy reversals. That said, we have all done our utmost to fight this war, and this is the manifestation of our solidarity and consensus. At least we won't get beaten up wearing face masks in public, as has happened in some Western countries.

As a matter of fact, Malaysians are a kindhearted lot. People from different ethnic backgrounds have their own cultures, religions, value systems and lifestyles. What divide us, as the prime minister has said, are actually politicians who fan racial sentiments.

Another few days will be the first anniversary of the Sheraton Move. Looking back over the past one year, we should be thankful that the intensity of racial confrontation here has softened remarkably. It is hoped that we will make steady advances towards the lofty goals of national unity in the days to come, guided by the spirit of inclusiveness and mutual respect.