LETTERS: Dear fellow Malaysians, as we celebrate a new year, it is with great excitement and hope that I extend my warmest greetings to all.
This year marks the beginning of a new era with the advent of our new king, who will ascend the throne this month. Let us welcome him with open hearts and embrace this transition as an opportunity to rekindle the spirit of 1957 when our nation gained independence.
It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our forefathers and recommit ourselves to the ideals of unity, freedom and progress.
One of the pillars of our nation, the Rukun Negara, provides us with a guiding light for our journey ahead.
It reminds us of the importance of principles such as belief in God, loyalty to the king and country, upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and mutual respect and morality.
Let us revive these principles and make them a living part of our daily lives. In our multicultural and diverse society, celebrating unity in diversity is not just a slogan, it's a way of life.
Embrace the richness of our different cultures, languages, and traditions. Share the joys of each other's festivals, savour the flavours of our diverse cuisines, and take pride in our rich heritage.
Let our diversity be a source of strength, understanding, and appreciation. Over the last year, we have had our share of ups and downs.
We have had a prolonged period of sloganeering, politicking, name-calling, upmanship, and racism.
Isn't it time to concentrate on our positives, our commonalities, our blessings, and our common future?
As we embark on this new year, let us march ahead as one nation, united in our resolve to reject practices that are exclusionary.
Instead, let us find unity in our shared goals and dreams and in the strength that comes from standing together. It's a time for us to work together, regardless of our backgrounds, to build a brighter future for our beloved Malaysia.
Let's take pride in our achievements. In 2024, let us write a new chapter in our history, one that demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity, tolerance, and progress.
Together, we can ensure a better tomorrow for our children and generations to come.
Happy New Year, Malaysia!
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Chairman, Alliance for a Safe Community
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times