ONE of the critical endeavours in the general election is Malaysians to compare the types of national unity espoused by Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional’s notion unity is based on the dominance of the Malays. Anybody who questions this narrative of asymmetrical unity is regarded as threat to ethnic supremacy and the cause of disharmony.

The quest for such dominance was why Bersatu, who is in competition with Umno for the Malay vote, betrayed Pakatan Harapan after 22 months in power.

The question is, can true unity be achieved via ethnic dominance?

Unity is not merely about compromise or tolerance, it about sharing and loving one’s brothers and sisters in diversity, which means a shared humanity. It respects the right to life and progress of all communities.

Relationships are based on embracing the other as fellow Malaysians without barriers. It about building bridges instead of building walls.

To achieve national unity in authentic, the notion of ethnic and religious dominance should be done away with, where the constitutional document is seen as an evolving concept rather than a rigid and ideological conceptualisation of ethnic rights.

It obvious that Malaysians have the heavy responsibility of choosing between three coalitions. BN and PN stand for ethnic dominance while Pakatan Harapan stands for mullticulturalism.

The Association for Welfare Community and Dialogue urges Malaysians to vote for the coalition  that espouses multiculturalism. – November 6, 2022.

* Ronald Benjamin is Association for Welfare Community and Dialogue secretary.