WE celebrate our 66th Merdeka tomorrow, yet unity seems more distant today than it was during our fledgling years as a nation. 

As we get more connected by technology, community relationships have waned significantly.

Ironically, the same technology that speeds up communication is partially to blame. The relative anonymity it provides has also allowed brazen talk on previously taboo issues, desensitising Malaysians to their neighbours of other ethnic or religious backgrounds. 

At the institutional level, more organisations have taken on racial undertones. Lines have been drawn through years of polarising education and segregation - leaving an unhealthy mix of races in the private sector and civil service. 

We see the effects of this disconnect not only in practical aspects such as employability and life skills, but also social integration and community ties.

Frayed as the ties are, it is now possible, and quite probable, for a Malaysian to grow up, learn, work and retire among only the members of his community, with minimal interaction with other groups. This has a detrimental effect on nation-building.  

We are at a stage where university professors consider “liberal” a bad word. Other words that trigger their onomatophobia are “progressive” and “evangelical”.

The list of taboo words and topics only grow with each day as we tiptoe around each other’s ignorance-fuelled anger. 

And then there’s the politics. 

On paper, all the political parties are now more “multiracial” than ever but in reality, the opposite is true. 

Bersatu and PAS, for instance, now accept members of other faiths and ethnic groups but have paradoxically skewed to the extreme right at the same time.

Barisan Nasional’s race-based power-sharing formula ceased with its election loss in 2018, and along with it, its camaraderie and raison d’etre.

Ironically, again, instead of breaking racial moulds, the weakening of the coalition served to drive communities further apart as political rhetoric degenerated into strongly racial and religious talk. 

For the past 20 years, race, religion and royalty have been used as bogeyman issues to stir up Malaysians, if not justification to overthrow the government. 

Does achieving a unified Malaysia need to be so hard? Is it even doable? 

By and large, Malaysians hold true to the Asian culture, which tempers disagreements with courtesy, upholds a strong sense of community and places importance on peace

This is evident, anecdotally at least, in our daily lives. Colour blindness can be observed in the restaurants, hospitals, public offices and schools.

People are generally friendly to one another and ready to help with a smile and a hand. This is even more pronounced during times of disasters, such as floods. 

Political reality is another. Divisive politics and policies won’t help anyone – not even the people pushing those agendas.

When push comes to shove, every race must participate in nation building if Malaysia is to prosper. This is a fact we must admit, albeit begrudgingly, for some of us. 

Racial rhetoric and pandering have reached their zenith and can only grow worse from here.

We need to return to more centred discussions, if not because of moral reasons, at least for political, economic and even social necessities. 

The authorities need to get their act together and capitalise on positive Malaysian vibes while minimising the impact of the opposite. 

Unity is too crucial to the survival of a nation like ours to be merely a a slogan we shout out once a year.

Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysia. – August 30, 2023.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.