Malaysia Needs Mature Understanding Of Nationhood Beyond Identity Politics - Chang

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs a more mature understanding of nationhood that moves beyond identity politics, fear and coercion, particularly as public discourse becomes increasingly divisive and politics continues to be framed through race and religion, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang.

He said a strong and united Malaysia could not be built by forcing people into silence or relying on fear, but by ensuring every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, faith, background or political belief, felt they had a genuine stake in the country’s future.

Chang said this required institutions that were strong, professional and impartial, with the law applied fairly and public services delivered without discrimination based on race, religion, political affiliation or social background.

“Good governance is the strongest safeguard against such an undesirable outcome,” he said in an article titled “This Is My Country, Too!”, while warning that irresponsible use of race and religion to mobilise support could divide society into competing groups and create perceptions that certain communities were receiving more than their fair share.

The Tanjong Malim Member of Parliament (MP) said the principle of leadership as an ‘amanah’ (trust) must also guide those entrusted with political power, stressing that positions were not privileges or weapons against political opponents and communities with differing views.

On patriotism, Chang said the Jalur Gemilang must be treated with respect as a symbol of the country’s history, struggles and hopes for the future, but enforcement should not be so excessive that genuine mistakes were treated as serious offences warranting public outrage, arrest or disproportionate punishment.

He said such an approach could erode the spirit of patriotism, as people might become apprehensive about displaying the national flag for fear of facing severe repercussions.

“A confident and mature nation should know how to respond proportionately. If an honest mistake is made, education and guidance should come before punishment. This does not mean deliberate insults or acts of provocation should be ignored.

“How to differentiate? Intent matters, context matters, proportionality matters,” he said, adding that the roles of government agencies should not simply be to arrest and punish citizens but to educate and guide them.

“As members of society, we should not overreact or express outrage over genuine mistakes. We should instead show empathy and forgiveness. Our country has no place for those who constantly try to incite hatred and divide us over every single aspect of our life,” he said. 

Referring to Sultan Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah’s remarks at the 8th World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilisation, Chang also said unity built on shared belonging was more resilient than unity imposed through coercion.

He said the vision of Malaysia should therefore be one where diversity in culture, faith, language and traditions strengthened the national fabric, so that everyone in the community could feel they had a genuine stake in Malaysia's success.

“As we celebrate another Merdeka, perhaps the most important question is not how loudly we proclaim our love for the country. The more pertinent question is: what kind of Malaysia are we creating for the next generation?

“We should reject the temptation to divide Malaysians for parochial political ends. We should resist the instinct to use the machinery of the state in an excessive or heavy-handed manner, and those entrusted with positions must always remember that leadership is an ‘amanah’ to be exercised with humility, wisdom and responsibility,” Chang said.

-- BERNAMA