There has been much debate over the recent cow head incident. I still believe that much of the action that transpired during the event with the MB was politically backed. Most residents I believe would have been more level headed and respectful, at least to the MB. However, I am very concerned about the worsening polarisation of the races and religion.
Spend some time at a cafeteria at a university and you will realise that each group is distinctly of one ethnicity. There is not much integration among them. What has happened? Is this the idea of 1Malaysia? How can we right that?
Education remains the pillar of any civilisation. It will mould an individual not only academically but socially as well. The contents of our syllabus should reflect the multi cultural aspects of our community. Teaching about other religions might not be too far fetched in our local school curriculums.
I agree with one article in The Star about acceptance and NOT tolerance. Perhaps not many has accepted the fact that we are all Malaysians and not immigrants. Mindsets about supremacy is artificial and holds no water. Even as one delves into history, one will realise that Malaysia will not be what it is today without the roles of individuals we call Malaysians.
We have slid down the slope of racial and religious intolerance. There is still hope. I feel we need to overhaul our education system. Chinese should stop trying to create a China outside of China and Indians should stop creating an India outside of India. Similarly, Malays should accept the fact that other races are here for the good of our country and not harbour suspicion or belittle the loyalty we have to our country.
We need to incorporate the strengths of each races and assimilate it into our Malaysian education system. Be it the way certain subjects are taught to the languages that we speak, let all Malaysians be exposed to them. It will be a beautiful sight if most Malaysians are trilingual, but united by Bahasa Malaysia.
There is much to do and the powers that govern need to recognise these flaws and not delude themselves into believing that everything is hunky dory. We need to work from the ground up.
