KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged Malaysians, especially youths to respect and value the nation’s pluralistic society.
He said the most difficult task of being a prime minister was in managing its multi ethnic communities, especially in ensuring one should not touch on the sensitivity of other races.
“We are a multiracial nation. We need to be cautious in what we say to ensure we do not touch on the sensitivity of other races.
“Whatever that we do, should not allow racism to creep out,” he said.
The prime minister said this in a special video which was released to celebrate Malaysia’s 62nd Merdeka.
The 4 minute short film uploaded on his social media platform shows a group of enthusiastic youths who stumble into Dr Mahathir in the Putrajaya Lake Park while they were taking some photographs.
He then takes time-off from his stroll to answer some pertinent questions related to the real meaning of independence, his role as a prime minister and the role of the youths in Malaysia.
Among question posed was why it is important for Malaysians to celebrate the country’s independence.
To this Dr Mahathir replied that it is important because independence means Malaysians are able to determine their own future since they are ruling and putting in efforts to turn the country into a progressive nation.
The youths in the video also asked why Malaysia was different now compared to before independence.
“We get to choose our own government. This was different when we were colonised before.
“We did not have any say in the ruling of the country. Everything was determined by the colonisers and they did it all for their own interest and nothing for the nation’s interest,” said Dr Mahathir.
When the youths asked Dr Mahathir on the nation’s first Merdeka celebration back in 1957, he immediately broke into a wide smile, describing it as “very exciting”.
He said it was exciting as Malaysia or Malaya was finally free from its colonial master.
Dr Mahathir was a youthful 32 years-old when Malaya was declared independent in 1957. He is 94 now.
“Tun, do you think we have really achieved independence?” one of the youths ask’s him.
“Yes, of course. But in this generation, we are easily influenced with the information that we receive due to some foreign influence,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said Malaysian youths must realise that the nation is a multiracial country and they would always need to integrate in a positive manner with each other.
“We (the older generation) determine a better future for the youths. So, the youths need to be aware of the situation in the country.
“Do not create anger among each other on purpose,” he said.
The video ends with Dr Mahathir saying: “Mengisi kemerdekaan, lebih sukar dari menuntutnya. (Fulfilling the real meaning of independence, is harder that demanding it).