PETALING JAYA: Mohamed Tawfik Ismail, the eldest son of former deputy prime minister Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman, urges Malaysian politicians to embrace diversity, hoping there will be more “color blind” leaders in this country.

Tawfik insists that it is not historically factual to call Malaysia a land of the Malays.

As we all know, he said, Malaya was a nation formed after the multiracial population here fought for independence from the British.

In conjunction with the 50th death anniversary of the country’s second deputy prime minister Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman, Sin Chew Daily talked to his eldest son Mohamed Tawfik Ismail about racial harmony, national unity and the country’s current political environment.

Tawfik said majority of political leaders today seem to have been instilled with the race-first ideology, and unfortunately many young generation politicians are also putting race before the country.

“With the exception of East Malaysia, where the people seem to be more liberal.”

Tawfik said politicians would resort to sensitive racial and religious issues during an election campaign.

“We need to understand our history before we come to appreciate all that we have today.

“Although the focus of Malaysia is always on the peninsula, as a matter of fact, Sabah and Sarawak are also important constituents of Malaysia.

“We should see how the people in East Malaysia from different religions — including Muslims and Christians — live peacefully under one roof.

“This is the country we want to develop into.

“I hope to see more young Malaysians from all ethnic backgrounds with the aspiration to serve the rakyat will come forward to lead and build a better country together.”

Tawfik served as the Member of Parliament for Sungai Benut from 1986 to 1990 under Umno.

In last year’s general election, he contested the Bagan Datuk constituency as an independent candidate, but finished last in a four-corner fight that was won by deputy prime minister cum Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

In memory of Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman:

1. Professor Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi: In the shadow of a true Malaysian… Tun Dr. Ismail Abdul Rahman in memoriam
2. Mohsin Abdullah: The man who saved Malaysia
3. Ooi Kee Beng: Tun Dr. Ismail — respected and feared for the right reasons
4. Malaysia needs more ‘color blind’ leaders: Tawfik
5. Not just Tanah Melayu