WELCOMING 2019 means pondering what lies ahead for our beloved Malaysia.
Malaysia is a mélange of races, religions, cultures and ethnic backgrounds and this aspect is the biggest challenge, not just for the government to manage, but also for us Malaysians.
We need to realise that the love for the country is the most potent force that can help strengthen and unify all of us.
To love our own country requires us to put the interest of the nation above our very own.
There are times when we feel that we know what is best for Malaysia, but our judgment might lack complete understanding of the whole issue or situation.
To be fair, we need to always recognise the contributions of fellow Malaysians from all segments of society.
As Malaysia is facing trying times, our leaders and people should work together to move forward.
There is no use denying that problems exist, but most importantly, we should formulate the right solutions to the problems.
Just like any other nation, Malaysia faces its own challenges, and like any success story, it is how we bounce back from setbacks which matters.
The nation is like a family made up of individuals with their unique personalities and personal interests, but in the end, it is the family that is most important.
For Malaysia, it can only move forward and remain relevant if every citizen is sincere to appreciate what each of us is doing for the country.
The role of some might be less compared to others, but if we learn to see things correctly by acknowledging everyone’s contribution, the country can get through these tough times.
We need to learn to set aside our egos and individual interests, especially if these interests threaten the sovereignty of the country.
Most importantly, we need to learn to trust one another.
The social trust deficit among Malaysians today is alarming and disheartening.
It has caused us to become judgemental and prejudiced against people who are different from us. Instead of respecting and appreciating one another, we sow seeds of discontent.
If we love Malaysia, we need to learn to trust one another more, regardless of race, religion and culture.
Lastly, if we love Malaysia, we should celebrate our commonalities and shared values as the foundations to propel the nation towards success and greater unity.
ENIZAHURA ABDUL AZIZ
Fellow, Centre for the Study of
Shariah, Law and Politics, Institut
Kefahaman Islam Malaysia