SHAH ALAM - Achieving national unity requires significant dedication and thoughtful contemplation, as numerous significant obstacles have been disregarded, hindering efforts to address unity-related issues.
In this regard, National Unity Advisory Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that Malaysians of different ethnic backgrounds should show mutual respect for one another.
"Malaysians of different ethnic origins must always be conscious of the need to have mutual respect for one another.
"They must always remain vigilant and be conscious of the sensitivities of our respective religions and cultures for the sake of inter-racial harmony.
"The most urgent task of all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, or political affiliation, is to ensure racial and religious harmony and reject all forms of extremism that can undermine inter-racial and inter-religious peace and harmony," he told Sinar Daily.
Lee said it is now time for all level-headed, patriotic Malaysians to stay united and not make incendiary statements that lead to conflict and disharmony in the country.
"This is the time for all level-headed patriotic Malaysians to stand up and be counted in furthering the cause of a united Malaysian nation.
"This is not the time for anyone to make incendiary statements that are provocative and can lead to conflict and tension with serious consequences affecting peace, harmony, and national unity.
"As responsible and patriotic Malaysians, it is our profound duty to work for peace and harmony and refrain from acts of provocation and violence, which will result in conflict and chaos," he added.
Commenting further on the sensitive issue of races, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) president Datuk Mohamed Arshad Mohammed Raji said it is not appropriate to raise racial issues.
"Everyone must keep in their hearts and minds how the formation of Malaysia was created; it's because the three races (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) were together.
"British wouldn't have handed over the country to Malaysia if the three races weren't together, but now race, religion, and royalty (3R) shouldn't be an issue or a topic to be discussed at all," he said.
He further said that there is no such thing as a 'one race superpower', but instead it should be a country for all races and religions.
Therefore, he said there should not be a race-based political party in this country.
"Our country is multi-diverse where we stay united, but people today don't understand that. There is no such thing as 'one race having superpowers. It's a big no, and it shouldn't be like that.
"There should not be any race-based political party; it is good to have just one party where everybody gets together," he said.
Meanwhile, independent scholar Professor Dr Sharifah Munirah Alatas said Merdeka should be celebrated equally without any race or religion barrier.
"Merdeka means freeing our nation from oppressive and exploitative rule and uniting our diverse cultures, religions, and languages.
"We celebrate National Day because we want to liberate ourselves from oppressive, corrupt, ethnocentric, and exploitative leaders.
"This Merdeka, we should embrace this notion of "coming together" with united aspirations because we are a nation formed of multiple ethnicities, religions, cultures, and languages," she said.