Malaysia’s Peace Is Precious, Unity Must Be Defended

By Nurul Hanis Izmir

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- As dawn broke over Putrajaya yesterday, a sea of Malaysians gathered at Dataran Putrajaya, their faces aglow with pride while the Jalur Gemilang danced gently against the morning sky.

The air carried the rhythm of marching bands, the heartfelt chants of schoolchildren, and the vibrant human mosaics of unity that have defined our nation's journey.

Yet beneath the celebratory surface, a quiet solemnity lingered in many hearts.

In distant Gaza, our brothers and sisters endure unimaginable suffering, where children lie hungry without medicine or food, their fragile cries swallowed by the roar of explosions as families are torn apart with no safe refuge, their dignity stripped away by a blockade that denies them even the most basic needs.

Even as we celebrated our National Day on Sunday, 30 Malaysians left for Italy and Tunisia to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, a mission of conscience involving 50 countries carrying the hopes of millions who yearn for justice and peace.

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (MAPIM) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ahmad Sani Araby Al-Kahery, who leads the Malaysian delegation, called the mission ‘historic’.

“Among the volunteers are doctors, activists, artists and ordinary Malaysians, united in a single purpose. Our demands are simple: stop the war immediately, and open the Rafah humanitarian corridor,” he said.

Closer to home, our region faces its own struggles.

In Indonesia, the tragic death of a young motorcycle taxi driver Affan Kurniawan, wo was struck by a police vehicle during protests, has ignited widespread anguish.

What began as calls for fair wages and dignity erupted into violent clashes across Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, and Papua, where stones clashed with shields and tear gas filled the streets - a painful reminder of how fragile peace can be when people lose trust.

In Thailand, the political landscape once again trembles with uncertainty following the Constitutional Court's dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leaving ordinary Thais caught in the turbulence to wait anxiously for a new chapter in their nation’s leadership.

Back home, Malaysia is spared these upheavals, but we must not forget how vulnerable peace is in a country of many races and religions, where some may seek to exploit it.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his National Day address, warned that those who attempt to divide Malaysians must be stopped firmly.

“Unity has always been the foundation of Malaysia’s strength. No nation could have achieved independence without cooperation, solidarity and identity,” he said.

Independence was not a gift but won through sacrifice, lives lost, and the courage of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sabahans and Sarawakians who stood as one, making every Aug 31 not only a celebration but a reminder of the price paid and the responsibility carried.

When we raise the Jalur Gemilang, we must remember it is not just a flag. It is a promise that this harmony will be guarded, that the peace we cherish will not be broken, and that unity will forever be the heartbeat of our nation.

In a world scarred by riots, upheavals, and wars, Malaysia’s peace shines brighter, a blessing we must never take for granted and so, as the voices of children echo ‘Merdeka’ across the land, let us remember that our independence lives in our unity - Merdeka kita, merdeka bersama.

-- BERNAMA