| |
|
Challenges in Maintaining Racial Unity |
|
|
Over the past decade, whether we are aware of it or not, Malaysia has been
rapidly developing on the world stage. However, we are often shaken by various
racial problems caused by our own people. Malaysia achieved its independence
through the efforts of all its people, regardless of race, religion, and skin
color, to live in harmony together. Nevertheless, we often see news broadcasts
on television and videos shared on social media that challenge the racial unity
that has been built since ancient times. Therefore, let us examine the
challenges that arise in maintaining racial unity.
Firstly, the challenge is in terms of the country's politics. Political parties
in Malaysia that are based on race have made it difficult to achieve racial
unity. The political world is inherently controversial, with various individuals
having different goals and interests. As a result, there are still leaders who
rely on racial sentiments to attract the attention of the people but only want
to protect their own interests. To move the country towards progress that stands
as tall as and sits as low as other advanced countries, politicians need to be
open-minded and mature. Politics should defend the overall welfare of the
people, not follow the interests of any party. Undeniably, political beliefs are
one of the challenges to maintaining racial unity in this country. If the people
and leaders of the country can overcome this challenge, the racial unity between
the communities in the country will certainly be closer.
Secondly, the dominance of a particular race in a particular economic sector has
also created an economic gap between the races. This challenge has emerged since
the time of British colonialism, where Malays became farmers and fishermen,
Indians were placed in rubber plantations, and Chinese worked as traders and
miners. After achieving independence, there was a change where every race had
the opportunity for education and could succeed if they worked hard enough.
However, due to the policies of the past, the effects can still be seen today
where the business sector is still dominated by Chinese, and most Indians still
live on plantations. The resulting scenario has limited social interactions
among them. As a result, feelings of prejudice and racism will become stronger
and thicker among the same race, making the process of unity difficult.
Thirdly, the challenge is from the social aspect of the younger generation,
where a segregated education system based on race has left a negative impact.
The introduction of vernacular schools following the racial line has made social
relationships more strained. Recently, many Malaysian citizens are still not
proficient in the national language, Malay. Language is the main element for
communicating with one another, and if we are not proficient in the language,
how can we communicate and understand individuals with different opinions? If
the diverse community engages in social activities, especially education, and
communicates well, it will lead to openness, understanding, and tolerance among
each other. In my opinion, establishing a single stream of education in the
national education system and emphasizing the use of the national language can
solve the problem of racial unity that is increasingly plaguing society today.
Lastly, the technological explosion today is also a challenge in maintaining
racial unity. The internet and social media have made it easier for individuals
to spread racial and religious hate speech. In this era, it is important for us
to be aware of the dangers of false information and to exercise caution when
receiving information from social media. The government and the people must work
together to combat this problem by promoting healthy online behavior.
In conclusion, maintaining racial unity is not an easy task, but it is essential
for the country's progress and prosperity. Therefore, all parties need to play a
role in overcoming the challenges that arise in maintaining racial unity, which
includes the political, economic, social, and technological aspects of society. |
|
|
|
|
