Holding on to what makes us Malaysian
THE country is changing, but in the rush towards tomorrow, there are precious things that we should not leave behind, write INTAN MAIZURA AHMAD KAMAL and JOHN TAN
Every National Day, Malaysia celebrates its progress and familiar symbols, but there are aspects the country risks losing. Datuk Hajeedar Abdul Majid, an architect and educator, fears the loss of the unique racial-cultural harmony that defines Malaysia. His concern stems from the carefree mutual respect for each other he experienced as a child, which he now misses.
Hajeedar believes that the coexistence of different cultures is an innate part of growing up in Malaysia, which he misses. Instead of looking backward, he encourages Malaysians to understand their heritage and identity to build a confident future. The unseen aspects of our identity are more important than the visible ones. Ninot Aziz, a cultural activist, worries that younger generations are losing access to traditional stories and the stories of powerful women.
She believes that these stories contribute to a sense of belonging and pride in one's heritage. To preserve Malaysia's identity, Aziz advocates for the continuous sharing and learning of these stories and traditions among Malaysians.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
