BY far, the just concluded general election has generated the most responses from the public compared with the previous ones. So many issues were raised and most of them, to my delight, were matured and certainly not partisan at all.

Public expectations of political leaders to perform are even higher than before. Rightly so, because they are public servants whose priority is to serve rather than to be served.

I believe sincerely that not only the leaders who run the country have great responsibilities; every ordinary Malaysian has to play a part in nation building too.

Let us all close ranks and avoid confrontation that could affect this nation negatively. Let us be constructive rather than tear down each other. For the sake of the next generation, let bygones be bygones and let us build each other up from henceforth.

Let the rich help the poor and the strong help the weak. I would love to see all races say good things about each other and help one another regardless of their race or religious background.

Imagine a Chinese helping a Malay genuinely and vice-versa or a Malay helping an Indian and vice-versa and that Malay or Chinese or Indian report back to his or her family and friends. We can all make a difference and that would indeed push forward the true spirit of Bangsa Malaysia.

Therefore, I would like to make two suggestions for further discussion.

First of all, to encourage mixing among the races, I urge the Government to use sports as a start.

I am a Liverpool fan and when I see another Liverpool fan, regardless of race or religion, he or she is my instant friend.

So, use the fan clubs of the EPL or our own Super league to kickstart a healthy mixing of the races. Do not let Astro have the monopoly of showing EPL league matches but instead, get some good matches live on national television.

That would enhance participation of fan clubs. Maybe, pump in some money into clubs to help them. In school, have some kind of league like this, and start fan clubs for each team.

There are various sports organised for each team. I came from Wesley Methodist School and each student belonged to a certain House.

Secondly, big companies in Malaysia which reap handsome profit should start doing “Charity Day”. They can donate a day’s profit to help all the underprivileged and handicapped people through institutions that deal with these people.

This must be done without racial or religious bias. They could also help organise healthy events for orphans of all races.

I believe there are many other things the elected public servants or ordinary Malaysians can do. Let’s us all make this our utmost priority for the better future of this great country.

RON,
Kuala Lumpur.

Source: The Star – March 19, 2008