COMMENT In 1956, the Federation of Malaya Chinese registered guilds and associations convened a general assembly aimed at fighting for citizenship for the Chinese community, demanding equal citizenship rights for Chinese Malayans to be enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
The assembly issued a declaration to that effect. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the declaration.
On Hari Raya Aidilfitri of the same year, Lim Lian Geok published his famous 'Manifesting a Malayan Mindset' message in Utusan Melayu.
As an important community leader of the nation’s founding generation – on the issue of the promulgation of the proposed new constitution, in which ethnic equality was not stipulated – Lim at the outset of the incipient formation of the new nation rose to the occasion in an attempt to turn the tide.
He not only made proposals on issues pertaining to visions of nation-building, but he was also resolute in continuing to struggle courageously and tirelessly when Chinese citizenship rights were not accorded.
In commemorating the 60th anniversary of the two concurrent events, it would be most opportune for us to reflect on Lim’s patriotism and compassion, as his actions had been exemplary in the struggles for nation-building and promulgation of the constitution deserving our emulation and commemoration.
In the declaration made 60 years ago on the fight for equal citizenship rights, Lim had stated categorically that from the macro and holistic view, the cornerstone of a truly independent and united nation would be that the nation accepts and recognises equal rights for all its ethnic communities.
Later, Lim reiterated his view in the Hari Raya Aidilfitri Message, saying that there are three major ‘mental constructs’ in the creation of a country of different races or ethnic communities.
Foremost is that there must be co-existence and co-prosperity among the communities; the second is that migrant communities are to be reminded that they must regard Malaya to be their first country and motherland: ‘countries outside Malaya are to be regarded as mere friends only’.
Lastly, the cultural and economic gaps and differences among the communities should be recognised and fair policy actions be implemented to redress such differences.
Ethnic equality and democratic politics
Political and other trends of the world move on, though the spirits and destiny of Malaysia’s founding as a nation remain centred upon the two main themes of ethnic equality and democratic politics.
Sixty years have passed and the nation has had its ups and downs. Though we have the infrastructure for the basic livelihood of the people, the nation has been plagued by political, economic and educational disputes and it has steered away from good governance.
There have also been two waves of political transformations in which members from Chinese groups participated. One was the well-known reformasi movement, which has not resulted in ethnic equality and greater democracy.
The current situation is one in which extremism has reared its ugly head; and compared with the early nation-building years, relations among the various communities have deteriorated and we have witnessed worsening of inter-community relations in the fields of politics and education as our people are embroiled in political, educational and religious conflicts.
What is more, corruption has become even more rampant and the system of fair play and justice appears to be disintegrating and approaching collapse.
Our nation is approaching its 60th year of independence. We would be doing the nation a disservice if we do not address the various problems – questions of political, economic reformations and transformations that affect us directly.
We are going to focus on national issues such as maintenance of public order and administration of justice, racial equality and accountability.
We are also of the view that before one could do that, one must premise one’s actions on a healthy mindset or ‘mental constructs’.
And this brings us squarely within the ambit of Lim's message in Utusan Melayu.
A future Malaysian society
We believe that in order to act in tandem with the spirits and trends of the times, a future Malaysian society must incorporate the following mental or psychological elements:
Firstly, there must be inculcated a contemporary civic quality or character among our citizens.
Such citizens display not just love for the country and compassion for its people but they must also be staunch advocates upholding the principles of democracy and freedom; they would show genuine concern for justice and equality; they must also possess rationality and characteristics of respect for the rule of law.
It is only when every citizen possesses such modern civic characteristics that it becomes possible for the nation to build a free, democratic and rich society. Our system of education must be one that strives to produce and nurture citizens with an all-encompassing, respectful, universal world-view and mind-set.
Secondly, the very idea of the equality among the ethnic communities must be developed and nurtured in our people.
Since independence, it has been a prominent feature that our country is a diverse land of many communities and cultures. This is an immutable fact.
Therefore, in order to sustain and maintain everlasting peace and stability in our society, it is absolutely essential that a psychological or mental attitude be imbedded in the minds of the people that everyone must regard equally all others and be friendly and respectful to them.
They must show respect for the cultures, languages and customs of each and every community. In this regard, the government should implement policy and carry out actions that commensurate with the above aspirations and principles of the people.
In other words, cultural pluralism and diversity should be taken as a positive Malaysian asset.
Thirdly, every citizen from each ethnic community must have the will and determination to safeguard our constitutional democracy.
The nation has seen erosions in the various institutions, as have happened to our constitutional monarchy, our legislative assemblies and our systems of accountability.
It is not impossible that the foundations of our constitutional democracy could even be shaken or broken asunder.
When our constitutional and administrative bodies are not guarded with vigilance by all, when the pursuit of a democratic system is not the sole objective of the people, then all our efforts in constructing a political system based on the rule of law and justice will become enfeebled and our system of governance will be in danger of disintegration.
Seek each other's hands
This we believe is the most important mental construct or attitude our people must possess.
We must build a society in which all citizens show a cohesive determination towards our system of constitutional democracy.
It has been 60 years since the publication of Lim Lian Geok’s message in Utusan Melayu and we will be celebrating our 60th year of national independence in 2017.
In envisaging and looking forward to the next 60 years, we would re-emphasise here that if we desire to transform from a ‘nation of ethnic communities’ to a ‘nation of civic citizens’, our people need to embrace the mental attitude and constructs, or the progressive and active mental or psychological mind-set vis-à-vis the three aforementioned aspects of civic characteristics, acceptance of ethnic equality and upholding of constitutional democracy.
To quote what Lim said 60 years ago: ‘We must share this same vision, seek each other’s hands, and strive together to achieve our common and noble objective’!
GOH KEAN SENG is the chairperson of the LLG Cultural Development Centre.
