KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians, especially the younger generation, need an interactive platform to air their thoughts on racial unity and the 1Malaysia concept.
Yayasan 1Malaysia trustee Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said yesterday there was a lot of suppressed frustration among the people and the first step to overcome the problem was through public dialogue.
“The media should help bring the issue of racial unity to the forefront and have young people – the future of our country – talk about what we can do to improve relations in the multi-racial community we live in,” he said at one of the workshops held in conjunction with the seminar organised by Yayasan 1Malaysia.
He also suggested that the “race” column in forms be removed since it makes individuals think of themselves as Malay, Chinese or Indian first instead of as Malaysians.
“Almost every form we fill up requests for race information, even when it is completely unnecessary,” said Fernandes.
Yayasan Budi Penyayang chief executive officer Datuk Leela Mohd Ali suggested that students from various educational institutions in the country be brought together for “reflective sessions”, adding it would be helpful to identify where the dissatisfaction stemmed from.
Television personality Daphne Iking said she hoped Malaysians of all races would one day agree on what is the common future for them.
“The future can’t be based on religious or racial ideology, but on merit,” she said.
Iking, another TV personality Azura Zainal, and Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Anas Zubedy shared their views on “Voices on Unity” moderated by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
Anas said there was a need to compromise as only those who were able to do so would survive.
“Nobody can get everything but everybody must get something. There is enough for anyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed. These are the few things we have to work on,’’ he said.
04/04/10
Yayasan 1Malaysia trustee Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said yesterday there was a lot of suppressed frustration among the people and the first step to overcome the problem was through public dialogue.
“The media should help bring the issue of racial unity to the forefront and have young people – the future of our country – talk about what we can do to improve relations in the multi-racial community we live in,” he said at one of the workshops held in conjunction with the seminar organised by Yayasan 1Malaysia.
He also suggested that the “race” column in forms be removed since it makes individuals think of themselves as Malay, Chinese or Indian first instead of as Malaysians.
“Almost every form we fill up requests for race information, even when it is completely unnecessary,” said Fernandes.
Yayasan Budi Penyayang chief executive officer Datuk Leela Mohd Ali suggested that students from various educational institutions in the country be brought together for “reflective sessions”, adding it would be helpful to identify where the dissatisfaction stemmed from.
Television personality Daphne Iking said she hoped Malaysians of all races would one day agree on what is the common future for them.
“The future can’t be based on religious or racial ideology, but on merit,” she said.
Iking, another TV personality Azura Zainal, and Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Anas Zubedy shared their views on “Voices on Unity” moderated by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
Anas said there was a need to compromise as only those who were able to do so would survive.
“Nobody can get everything but everybody must get something. There is enough for anyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed. These are the few things we have to work on,’’ he said.
04/04/10
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