Negaraku: Jangan biarkan politik memecahkan kita

Negaraku, a national anthem, emerged alongside the birth of an independent nation. It was first played shortly after midnight on August 31, 1957, when the Malayan Union flag was raised in place of the Union Jack. Since then, Negaraku has become the official symbol of the country and national pride. However, Negaraku should not merely be a song we sing or a ritual that makes us stand in respect.

It should be a moral pledge about the country we aspire to build, a nation where the people live together and progress. As Malaysia Kebangsaan Month approaches, we must honestly question whether we truly embody the lyrics we sing. I remember experiencing a moment that deeply touched my heart when we all sang Negaraku together. When it reached the verse of "we live together and progress," my heart suddenly felt tight.

This was because we know the reality and must be brave enough to acknowledge it. The unity of the Malaysian people is always tested, and religious and ethnic polarization remains unfinished. Political identity is easily exploited, and political differences can quickly turn into social hostility. The PRN in Johor and Negeri Sembilan is not just about who wins and who loses.

The election results are the democratic right of the people and must be respected. However, behind those results, we need to read the larger signals, including political identity, ethnic and religious sentiments, which still hold a strong place in the political fabric of the nation. Progress in Johor, where some voters are becoming more open to considering parties and candidates beyond ethnic lines, is something to be valued.

However, we cannot become too complacent. During National Day this month, we should honestly ask if we truly live the lyrics we sing. I once felt a strong, emotional moment when we sang Negaraku together. When it came to the chorus of "we live together and progress," my heart suddenly felt heavy. This was because we know the reality and must be brave enough to acknowledge it.

Unity among the Malaysian people is always tested, and religious and ethnic polarization is not yet complete. Political identity is easily exploited, and political divisions can easily become social strife. Political parties must be exploited, and differences in politics can easily turn into social enmity. Political propaganda should not become the industry of fear.

We need to evaluate what leaders can offer and provide solutions to the people. Mature politics should consider building a shared future, not just dividing power. More importantly, political polarization is no longer confined to political stages. It seeps into social media, family life, workplaces, and daily life. Algorithms tend to amplify negative sentiment and skepticism, magnifying the fear people have of perceived threats from other groups.

Content that incites anger and fear spreads more easily than content that builds understanding. We cannot allow algorithms to determine the relationship among Malaysian people. We also cannot allow politics to turn neighbors into enemies, colleagues into threats, and differing opinions into reasons to despise. Politics should not be used as weapons for dividing people.

Do not normalize hate speech. Do not build support by creating enemies. Do not inherit fear into the next generation. To the public, do not take political figures at face value. Value them based on integrity, competence, service record, vision, and ability to unite the people, not just their ethnicity, religion, or party affiliation.

Warship Malaysia by hearing before judging, acknowledging before suspecting, dialoguing before accusing, respecting even if not agreeing, and most importantly, placing Malaysia's interests above narrow political concerns. We don't have to be the same to be one, and we only need to understand that Malaysia is our shared home. So, during this National Kebangsaan Month, let us transform patriotism from merely raising the Malaysian flag into the courage of building better relationships among fellow citizens.

When Negaraku rises, let us stand not just with our bodies, but with our hearts, minds, and actions. Let us live again as a people living together and progressing. This is not just a lyric, but a dream, a responsibility, and possibly the most important question we must contemplate. We cannot erase all prejudices within one generation.

But we can choose not to inherit them. We can choose to listen before judging, recognize before suspecting, dialogue before accusing, respect even if not agreeing, and most importantly, place Malaysia's interests above narrow political concerns. We don't have to be the same to be one, and we only need to understand that Malaysia is our shared home.

Therefore, let us change patriotism from simply raising the Malaysian flag to the courage of building better relationships among fellow citizens. When Negaraku rises, let us stand not just with our bodies, but with our hearts, minds, and actions. Let us live once again as a people living together and progressing. This is not just a lyric, but a dream, a responsibility, and possibly the most important question we must contemplate. We cannot.