KUCHING: Politicising issues such as on the National Day will only divide citizens and compromise the spirit of unity among the multiracial community in Malaysia.
National Council of Professors (MPN) Senior Fellow Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir urged political parties to therefore steer clear of any racial, religious and state-related sentiments in Malaysia.
“We need to continue to foster the spirit of racial, social and religious unity in accordance with the theme of this year’s National Day, which is Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan,” he said.
He said this at the Program Ruang Bicara Hari Kebangsaan Hari Malaysia 2023 (HKHM 2023): Logo Dan Tema Lambang Kebersamaan Semua in a live broadcast by Bernama TV on Friday night (Aug 25).
The programme was also joined by Universiti Malaya (UM), History Department of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Senior Lecturer Dr Abu Hanifah Haris.
Previously, it was reported that four states under the administration of Perikatan Nasional (PN) may use different National Day logos and themes for state level celebrations and not the one announced at the federal level.
PN Youth leader Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, said Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are likely to use the alternative logo and theme that PN Youth launched last Monday in Peninsular Malaysia.
Jeniri opined that as a country under the federalism system, all states and regions in Malaysia need to work together to maintain racial unity.
He stressed that National Day is a national matter which instills a patriotic spirit in the country and not a state event.
“So it should be celebrated together by putting aside any political differences and ideologies.This is not the time to fan partisan political sentiments.
“Political leaders should be big-hearted and not take decisions to fulfil political agendas or manipulate people’s sentiments simply to fulfil their wishes,” he said.
Regarding the Malaysia Madani theme which was introduced by the Unity Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Jeniri personally felt there was no political element involved in the use of the theme in the national celebration.
He explained that organising the theme is the main idea that needs to be highlighted in a big and meaningful celebration for Malaysians.
“Furthermore, it becomes an axis to the determination of unity in order to ease disputes.
“Therefore, it is very important for us to instil the spirit of unity and move in line with the long-term goal to ensure this matter is not only strong in terms of social unity, but strong in terms of national integration as well as stabilising the country’s politics,” he said.
