LETTERS: Politics today emphasises division rather than unity.
Malaysians of different races and faiths are talking less to each other. Social media algorithms expose us further only to content of our liking, making us less aware of differing opinions.
As a result, we tend to stick more to our own community and engage less in meaningful intercommunal interaction. Even national issues that are supposedly good for the wellbeing of our nation are perceived through a racial lens.
When these issues are not handled with sensitivity and mutual understanding, it is no surprise that our society can easily become polarised.
So how can we progress as a nation when our people are becoming more divided?
It is more important now for us to recall the words of Tunku Abdul Rahman, our first prime minister: "We are all Malaysians. This is the bond that unites us. Let us remember that unity is our fundamental strength as a people and as a nation."
He was right. It was the unity of the main ethnic communities in then-Malaya that led our nation to achieve independence from the British. Our nation was one of the richest economies in Asia at one time.
In recent times, we used to have the tallest building in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers. We were also among the first countries in Asia to rebound successfully from the financial crisis of 1998.
We used to shout "Malaysia Boleh" with immense pride in our hearts.
It is the duty of our present generation to carry on the vision of our forebears. I often hear people reminiscing fondly about the early decades when children of all races mixed and played together.
Most importantly, we must not take our precious harmony and unity for granted. Safeguarding them requires a collective effort to identify more factors that can foster mutual understanding and empathy among different communities.
In this digital age, when the overflow of information is the new norm, we must stay vigilant and reject discourses and lies that divide us.
Young people, especially, must engage with one another and be leaders towards fostering a united Malaysian society that transcends racial and religious barriers.
Our shared commitment to unity is crucial for safeguarding Malaysia's success as a harmonious and prosperous country. I believe that we must continuously strive towards that.
Only when we are united can we rise to new heights again as a nation.
TAN CHEE YONG
Kajang, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times