{
  "id": 8572675,
  "title": "Perhaps Malaysians are a lot kinder than we think",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/perhaps-malaysians-are-a-lot-kinder-than-we-think-8572675",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2026/09/20/perhaps-malaysians-are-a-lot-kinder-than-we-think"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A middle-aged Chinese woman from an NGO entered the newsroom, in need of assistance. An Indian journalist was assigned to document the tale of a young Malay girl who required immediate medical care. This narrative, shared by FMT executive chairman Nelson Fernandez at a recent forum, would have been another account of Malaysian kindness. However, it was unique. People of all ethnicities united to respond to a plea for assistance, initiated by a Chinese individual, shared by an Indian, to aid a Malay girl. Within hours of FMT publishing the story, donations totaling up to RM150,000 were amassed, enabling little Diya Amanda to take her first steps towards a typical childhood. Yet, Fernandez considered this an ordinary day at work. The Malaysia we envision is already present. No campaign or matching T-shirts were necessary to promote unity. No one questioned individuals' prayers or the checkboxes on their forms. This was simply a child who needed help, and people responded. In 1982, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder composed a beautiful song about \"Ebony and Ivory\" coexisting in perfect harmony. Despite the song being created forty years ago, humanity is still striving for it. Malaysians have spent decades discussing unity, employing slogans, campaigns, and speeches. They have likely printed enough banners about togetherness to circumvent the country multiple times. Still, one of the most compelling demonstrations of Malaysian unity transpired without anyone needing to declare it. Just like the song, perhaps harmony does not necessitate every note sounding identical. We may not perceive enough unity in Malaysia. This matters because the narratives we repeatedly hear about one another shape the nation we belong to. If Malaysians constantly encounter each other through anger, suspicion, and confrontation, eventually it becomes easy to believe we are fundamentally divided. This is why Fernandez's argument about journalism extends beyond journalism. He was not suggesting that difficult stories should not be told. He was appealing for something more challenging: that conflict should not be the only perspective through which Malaysians view one another. We should be able to disagree passionately without dehumanizing others. We should be able to defend our beliefs without humiliating someone who holds differing opinions. When reporting on what divides Malaysia, we should not overlook the stories that highlight what still unites us. That responsibility extends beyond journalism. Each of us carries a miniature newsroom in our pockets. We determine what is shared, forwarded, and viral. Fernandez emphasized at the New Muslim Community Conference in Kuala Lumpur, a point that resonated with me: \"Everyone discusses religion, but no one talks about love, compassion, and kindness.\" Love. Compassion. Kindness. These three words may seem delicate amidst politics, race, religion, and power. However, as I conveyed in my previous article, we have misinterpreted softness and strength. It is simple to be kind to those who agree with us and those who are familiar and similar. It requires a stronger character to extend that kindness to someone who is not. Perhaps Malaysians do not need to concur on every issue, and perhaps agreement was never the objective. Harmony does not entail everyone singing the same note. That is unison. Harmony necessitates difference. Ebony and ivory do not produce music because they overcame their disparities. Their differences constitute the essence. Malaysia is not that distinct. A unique and colorful country like ours was never intended to be a single note. I believe we should cease attempting to make everyone sound identical and instead hone our skill of listening to one another. That is where harmony commences. The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of FMT.",
  "summary": "Behind every political rhetoric, racial dispute and religious difference, we must not miss the fact that there is also love, compassion and kindness in us.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Perhaps Malaysians are a lot kinder than we think",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/perhaps-malaysians-are-a-lot-kinder-than-we-think",
        "published": "2026-09-20T00:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}