ALL Malaysians are blessed with having the advice from our royal rulers on building national unity or risk destroying ourselves.

Firstly, our Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayattuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, in his royal address at the Maulidur celebrations, said “the Prophet’s administration emphasised the feelings of love for each other and could be universally used as a major example to generate solidarity among the people”.

All patriotic and right thinking Malaysians will loyally embrace this blessed royal statement and want to follow it steadfastly.

Secondly, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, in his royal address at the National Islamic Affairs Council golden jubilee celebrations on November 7, was reportedly saying “Muslims must avoid being passive spectators who allow Islam to be hijacked by certain quarters, for their chauvinistic reasons”.

This solid royal advice can be easily applied to not only Muslims but to also all Malaysians.

It could well be the royal clarion call to the nation and all Malaysians to adopt as part of our national plan to strengthen national unity. It could also buttress our new Shared Prosperity Vision.

It would be the humble wish of all devoted and dedicated Malaysians, to appeal to all our illustrious Council of Rulers to strongly promote this national philosophy of deliberate resistance, intolerance and firm rejection of any form of racism, religious bigotry and the violation of human rights.

We should follow up with a national movement that could impose effective checks and balances on many politicians and even some wayward academics who have become deviationists.

Their unreasonable, irresponsible and ugly utterances have already harmed and undermined our national dignity and integrity.

We are aware that these anti-Malaysian statements have caused much hurt and despair among many Malaysians and friendly foreign investors.

Their confidence in Malaysia’s future has been shaken.

Many asked whether this is the deep state intention of the organisers of the recent Malay Dignity Congress.

If this negative trend is not corrected and put right in time before elections, we may witness unfortunate consequences that can undermine our national well-being.

As true Malaysians we need to protect ourselves against sensitivities more carefully by being much more empathetic.

As a proud non-Malay Malaysian, like millions of others, I feel sadly and severely hurt and pained by attacks on my Malaysian identity and Malaysian-ness.

I ask my fellow Malaysians who alienated us, how they would feel in our shoes.

Where are our cultural and religious and really – Malaysian values – as reflected in our constitution and Rukun Negara?

All our socio economic successes so far, and our peace and stability won through sacrifices of our pioneers, public service, security forces, veterans and several sincere political leaders can be wiped out by racial and religious extremists, and corrupt leaders.

In conclusion, we as patriotic Malaysians, should stoutly rally around our royal rulers and all our supportive and caring political leaders to build mutual respect and love for each other.

Let us all reject all hate-mongers in our elections. 

We need to ensure that we will not be hijacked by extremists. – November 11, 2019.

* Ramon Navaratnam is chairman of Asli Centre of Public Policy Studies.

* 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.