MALAYSIA suffered long and bitterly under British colonisation and Japanese occupation.

Today’s youth are unaware of the difficult fight for an independent state.

From 1776 to 1957, the British ruled Malaysia with divide-and-rule tactics that further widened the gap among the local ethnic groups.

It is this division that poses a serious challenge to a unified Malaysia today. 

Its effects are clearly visible in the racist attitudes, prejudices, and polarisation among its citizens today.  

At the same time, the nation is also feeling the effects of globalisation. 

Formerly known as a peaceful and tolerant nation, the country has suffered a decline in its self-identity while intolerance grows.

There is no future for the country unless it achieves tolerance and understanding among its many cultures and races.

The strength of this country depends on the ability of each of the races in the country to interact with each in a multidimensional manner.

The country and its people cannot hope to compete in the world if its leaders continue to practice policies and governance that encourage the races to hate one another.

One cannot be cosmopolitan in the world and chauvinistic at home.

The older generation prefer to keep their opinions to themselves.

This will not help to improve the the future of their children and grandchildren.

The world’s change makers are getting younger by the day. 

The youth are the hope of the country.

As a many politicians are near the end of their careers, young people must take over. – November 12, 2022.

* FLK reads The Malaysian Insight.