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Unity in diversity means that despite our differences, we can still unite as one nation.
(FMT) – True unity comes from shared experiences, such as cheering on athletes on the world stage and celebrating each other’s cultural traditions.
Eight months on, 2024 has been quite a turbulent year for the country.
While one incident – the KK Mart socks row – turned into a political spat, another – a “one-on-one” brawl at a Penang convenience store – ended in a “solidarity handshake”.
These incidents may have been in the spotlight mainly due to social media, but many Malaysians do realise that there is more to being a part of this country than just politics and brawling.
For ordinary people, this means drinking tarik together at Mamak stalls and staring at the big screen to watch national athletes fight for glory in major sporting events such as the Olympics.
Former Bukit Bintang MP Lee Lam Thye couldn’t agree more.
He believes that sports are a “very important medium” for bringing people together and fostering national pride and collective identity.
“Sport is a universal language that has the power to bridge divides, unite cultures and leave a lasting legacy,” he told FMT.
He added: “People from all communities foster unity by focusing on shared human experiences and celebrating common interests.”
Lee said this was evident from a widely circulated video on social media showing Malaysians cheering for badminton doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik and singles ace Lee Zii Jia as they battled for bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics last month.
For student Syaddad Haidhar, Malaysia’s 26 representatives in this Games are a source of pride.
He said the Olympics made this year’s Independence Day more meaningful.
“Our athletes performed very well even though they did not win the gold medal,” he told FMT.
The excited reactions of Aaron and Wu Yi after their bronze medal wins were enough to warm his heart.
Pusaka founder Eddin Khoo recalls cheering for the Selangor football team in the 1970s.
The team then had some of the greatest players in the country’s football history, including Soh Chin Aun, Santokh Singh and Mokhtar Dahari.
“The spirit was really incredible. The love and support that was shown by the people in that very packed place (Stadium Merdeka) just embodied how united we can be as a country, regardless of culture, race and creed,” Chiu told FMT.
Besides sports, Mr Chiu has also been instrumental in revitalising traditional arts in the local community through Pusaka, and he has also witnessed the younger generation’s interest in cultural performances.
“We must ensure that traditions such as Manong, shadow puppetry and princess drama never disappear, as they encapsulate, capture and recreate our ‘spirit,'” he said.
Mr Chiu added that the country’s unity is built on the ability to celebrate each other’s cultural traditions.
“Everyone can say that whatever culture has taken root in this country is my culture and someone else’s culture. That’s where the unity lies – it cannot be found in a set of principles prescribed by the state,” he added.
For Lee, the organization’s projects and activities also play an important role in promoting unity.
He said that by sending students to such programs, cohesion in sports and arts can be fostered.
He added: “This has enabled them to forge lifelong friendships and gain a deeper understanding of Malaysia’s cultural diversity.”
Lee said that by regularly participating in sports and arts activities, people from different communities have built trust and understanding, breaking down stereotypes and prejudices they previously held.
Diversity in One
As Malaysia marked another national day, Lee Hsien Loong called for unity in the face of growing religious and ethnic divisions that many believe are being stoked by politicians.
“Unity in diversity means that despite our differences, we can still unite as one nation. Every Malaysian must always remember that we must never allow racial and religious polarisation to prevail,” he said.
Syazwan Nizam, owner of media studio Bangsawan Pictures, said he was grateful to be able to lead a peaceful life while working and collaborating with people of all races and religions every day.
He said Malaysia’s independence from British rule in 1957 left its people “free to do whatever they want” and that this freedom should be cherished and celebrated every Independence Day.
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