TMM,Monday 14 March, 2011
Improving oneself as a Malaysian is the true meaning of loving the country
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently said mastering the English language will not make one less patriotic. It showed that we have varied views on patriotism.
Vision 2020 would be more achievable when we have a clear and correct view. As such, it is of paramount importance to establish what constitutes patriotism.
To me, it is beyond feeling and showing pride for our country. Patriotism is better measured by concrete actions and contributions to our nation.
For example, participants singing nationalistic songs in flag-raising ceremonies may be reverberating with great feelings of patriotism.
However, double-parking or obstructing traffic to participate in the event or leave the vicinity littered with garbage is anything but patriotic.
Patriotism requires us to be exemplary citizens and be an asset, not a liability, to our nation. This is only possible when we lead a healthy lifestyle.
As such, smoking, overeating, irresponsible and rude behaviour, driving or riding dangerously, are indirectly, unpatriotic acts.
Eating a balanced diet, doing physical exercise, taking safety precautions, studying or working hard, and being productive, are patriotic.
Our unsung heroes are those who contribute their expertise, generate wealth, pay taxes, donate to worthy causes or do voluntary work.
Those who genuinely fight against corruption, abuse of power, injustice, low productivity, poverty, pollution, degradation, discourtesy and disease are true patriots.
However, many of those who champion their race, religion, language and culture to become popular are regressive and chauvinistic and succeed in creating animosity and disharmony.
Likewise, those who only rave that Malaysia is better than other countries can be obnoxiously nationalistic. Instead, our focus should be improving ourselves, as there is much room to do so.
A great act of patriotism is to empower our fellow Malaysians to be held in high esteem by the world community.
We have no shortage of talented Malaysians. They should be given the opportunity to develop to their full potential.
Whether their immense contributions are made locally or in the international arena, they are patriots that Malaysians can be proud of.
We should work towards the day when the majority of foreigners, both tourists and those working here, are also proud of us.
This would require us to help and care for our fellow human beings. There should be no second-class Malaysians or pendatang.
Treating everyone as equals is also God-fearing. We Malaysians are not superior to others simply because we are not inferior.
We should submit humbly to the Almighty by respecting all human beings, as all of us are God’s creations.
Patriotism can be as simple and easy by giving everyone, including ourselves, a smile.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur
No comments:
Post a Comment