What Does It Mean To Be Malaysian?
Author: Brandon Back E Hyun
The superpowers of today have greatly shaped the world we live in. From the West, we’ve heard terms like America’s “brand of capitalism” and closer East is China’s “socialism with Chinese characteristics”. In comparison, Malaysia is much smaller and takes the Southeast Asian approach of neutrality and the non-interference principle. In spite of this, I believe Malaysia has also — in its own unique way — shaped this world so antagonized by powerful countries wanting to rule. I term it as Malaysia’s “spirit of tolerance”.
It is this spirit that has guided Malaysia from the temptations of imperialism that have long fueled American interests in the Middle East under the guise of a “War on Terror” when really it was about pillaging oil for profit; just look at America’s abandonment of Afghanistan!
How about China then? Our “Big Brother” must surely be wiser and more tolerant? Unfortunately, the Chinese Communist Party has historically never placed civil liberties and freedoms at the forefront of their laws. It is evident that the CCP wants to impose a “One China” system whereby the only one “correct” culture is that of the Han Chinese — despite the different ethnicities that also call China their home; just Google the plight of the Uyghur and Tibetan people!
It is frightening that these so-called superpowers have the ability to shape the world. More often than not, it is the smaller countries that have to pay the price, as can be clearly seen during the Trump led American-China trade war. Perhaps it is time that these two fighting giants take note of the dwarves below them. Perhaps these countries can learn from Malaysia’s tolerance.
Our founding fathers Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun V. T. Sambanthan negotiated for Malayan independence from the British. To show the Brits that Malaya was ready, they succeeded in showing that Malaya’s multicultural citizens were a united front and in doing so, emerged victorious in obtaining that independence; with Merdeka Day celebrated every 31st August 1957. Then, along with the unity of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia Day on 16th September 1963 soon followed. The birth of Malaysia will always have its roots in unity because of its culturally and ethnically diverse citizens uniting for an independent Malaysia. However, the foundation of said unity could only be made possible through the spirit of tolerance.
And it is this spirit that is prevalent in everyday aspects of Malaysian life — seen through the lenses of the Malaysian people. It flows through religion, ethnicity, culture and law.
While our federal constitution puts Islam as the official religion of Malaysia, the same constitution (under Article 11) protects the rights of non-Muslims to freely practice their own religion. This compromising give-and-take approach extends to all sensitive topics in our Malaysian way of life. For example, while the majority Muslims are prohibited legally and religiously from consuming alcohol, non-Muslims are not. In fact, in East Malaysia, ethnicities like the Ibans or Kadazans make it cultural to do so! These customs are preserved by their respective ethnicities and by law, harmoniously running concurrently with Islamic practices by Malaysian Muslims. In my opinion, this contrast of beliefs is a pillar stone in the Malaysian way of life and displays tolerance between Malaysians to resolve their differences be it ethnically or religiously.
And I believe in this Malaysian spirit of tolerance. It is the antidote to the poisonous mentality of “us-versus-them”. In a country so ethnically and religiously diverse, ethnicity and religion become closely intertwined. In a way, this in itself has become Malaysian culture. Our unique cultural identity inherently encourages us to be exposed to and sometimes even participate in the singular cultures of the many different ethnicities that call Malaysia home. The classic celebrations of Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Hari Raya immediately come to mind. And I can say this with such certainty because I have seen it myself: Malaysians of all ethnicities and religious beliefs coming together to break bread whilst watching a game of football on the overhead television in a Mamak restaurant on Malaysia Day.
But let us not be too comfortable with the current peace kept dearly by all Malaysians for our history of tolerance is not without failures. On the 13th of May 1969, the political and socio-economic situation at that time had culminated in a racial riot, with an official death count of 196 Malaysians. The spirit of tolerance was thrown out in favor of racial identity, sense of belonging and murder. Indeed, the “13 May Incident” as it had come to be known is a dark and evil blot in Malaysia’s history, threatening all that Malaysia stands for. It is pertinent that every Malaysia Day, the incident is remembered so as to never be repeated again. To quote George Santayana, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.
So let us celebrate Malaysia Day in the spirit of tolerance. Look at your fellow Malaysian; notice how different we all look and how different our beliefs are. Then remember that this is how it should be and how it will always be and that tolerance will keep us uniquely united, paving the way for all Malaysians to learn to respect and love one another.
Indeed I say that to be Malaysian is to be tolerant.