马华总会长拿督斯里蔡细历医生<马来西亚日>献词

Malaysia Day message from MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sept 16, 2010 is a day that will go down in the history of Malaysia as we celebrate and give due recognition to Malaysia Day.

It is a day of great significance because we get to record a momentous day to commemorate the unification of east and west Malaysia as one nation.

It underscores the meaning of co-operation, unity and integration which reinforces the thrust of a truly One Malaysia.

The commemoration of Malaysia Day marks a milestone for the country which has gone through great challenges since Sept 16, 1963 when Sabah and Sarawak joined with the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia .

While we look forward, we must also not be afraid to remind ourselves of the past mistakes we have made.

Let us look back before we can look ahead with renewed vigour to face greater challengers together with better courage, a clearer mind, balanced perspective, rightful thinking and not wishful thinking.

Malaysia Day is a reminder of the country’s richness in diversity, multiculturalism and multi-ethnicity and we should stand proud of what we have.

If we have used such diversity in promoting Malaysia as a tourism effort, then there is no wrong in embracing multi-ethnicity from the political point of view.

Just as through dances portraying the various cultures that we have showcased to the world, I do not see why we cannot embrace diversity in our daily and political lives as well.

We should be proud of our diverse heritage and we should make no apologies for it.

We must remember that without Sabah and Sarawak, there will be no Malaysia today. It is a historical fact that these two states help in the formation of Malaysia .

Let us not forget that Sabah has 32 officially recognized ethnic groups and Sarawak which is home to 28 ethnic groups makes up a sizable extent of the population composition in the country.

It is this large group of Malaysians from the two Borneo states that we sometimes forget. It is not only the Malays, Chinese and Indians but that of our brothers and sisters in Sabah and Sarawak that make up the voices of Malaysia .

The hopes and aspirations of all Malaysians must be given recognition. No one should be left out.

Just as we reflect our diversity in tourism brochures, it is also befitting to remind Malaysians that we should not tolerate racism.

No matter what, Malaysia must continue to stay intact as a nation which thrives on merit, hard work and togetherness.

There is no room for racist supremacists or ultra champions of any religion. Let us be reminded that racism in whatever form is not healthy. It is counter productive.

Any insidious emergence of racism and religious extremism or fanaticism must be nipped in the bud and not allow to fester or else we will be opening the doors to the evils of racial unrest.

We have reached thus far and would be a great pity to only lose it all because of some inconsequential remarks made by some racists and bigots.

Malaysia Day should not be just another public holiday for us to enjoy. Let us spare a moment to think of how we want to shape Malaysia in 10 or 20 years to come.

Although the recognition of Malaysia Day has come 47 years late but as the saying goes, it is better late than never and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should be given credit for making this day possible during his tenure as Prime Minister.

Today’s celebration marks the birth of many wonderful things to come for the people of Sabah and Sarawak and outlines the emphasis of the government’s recognition to both states for the birth of Malaysia .

At the end of the day, we should think, act and communicate as one, with no boundaries to separate us as Malaysians.

There can only be one Malaysia , blessed with the diversity of culture, race and religion but our beliefs for a superior culture of a Malaysian identity should be personified by all and not by just any one race.

HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY!

Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek
MCA President

/END



马华总会长拿督斯里蔡细历医生<马来西亚日>献词

今年，是我国第一次正式举国同庆马来西亚日。因此，今年的马来西亚日，将在我国历史上留下深具意义的一页。
马来西亚日提醒了我们，我国是一个多元文化及多元种族的多元国度，我们应该对拥有多元色彩的特色感到骄傲。
如果我们能以多元化的特征来推广马来西亚的旅游业，那么从政治角度来看，奉行多元种族社会是正确的。
沙巴州及砂拉越州目前分别有32个及28个受官方确认的族群，这些族群占了我国的人口相当的比例。我们有时会忽略这两些来自婆罗洲州属的马来西亚子民。因此，我们不能忘记，我国的族群不仅于马来人、华人及印度人，我们还有来自而沙巴和砂拉越的同胞，一起构造了马来西亚。
马来西亚不能让任何种族主义或极端宗教主义有生存的空间。我们必须牢记，任何形式的种族主义都是不健康的，并且将带来反效果。
我们必须在任何的种族主义或极端宗教主义萌芽阶段，即加以制止，否则它将为种族动乱敞开方便之门。
马来西亚日的意义，不应成为另一个让我们欢庆的公共假期。让我们花一点时间来思考，在未来的10年或20年内，我们要怎样去塑造我们的国家。
我国在47年以后才普天同庆马来西亚日，虽迟但却依然珍贵。我们也感谢首相拿督斯里纳吉，在他的任期内让马来西亚日变成事实。