KUCHING, Oct 21 (Bernama) - Datuk Abdul Malik Jangkat, 81, of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah was all smiles during the Malaysia Day celebration held at Padang Merdeka here last Oct 10.
The colourful event featured the performance of cultures from the country's diverse ethnic groups that reflected the 1Malaysia concept. This had brought a thousand and one meanings to Abdul Malik, a veteran politician.
Abdul Malik was among the 20 Sabah community leaders who went to Kuala Lumpur to attend the briefing on the move for Sabah to join the Malaysian federation.
"When first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman voiced his intention to create Malaysia in 1961, me and the Father of Sabah's Independence Tun Datu Mustapha had explained to the people on the importance of achieving independence for Sabah from the British rule.
"Despite some protests from a small number of people who felt more comfortable under the British rule, that never defeated our resolve.
"Finally all of our effort was rewarded when the Federation of Malay States, Sabah and Sarawak formed Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963. Today I am happy to see Malaysia has advanced and respected by all," he told Bernama.
1MALAYSIA FIGURE
Abdul Malik's contributions towards the formation of Malaysia earned him the 1Malaysia award in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration here.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak presented the award, that comprised a certificate and souvenir to Abdul Malik and nine others. Four of the recipients were from Malaysia and three each from Sabah and Sarawak.
The four from Peninsular Malaysia were renowned historian Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim, former Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) director-general Datuk Dr Hassan Ahmad, Deputy Dean for Community Science Studies Centre at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Dr Sivamurugan Pandian and National Sports Council's (MSN) Athletes Affairs Director Zaiton Othman.
The three Sarawak recipients were former state secretary Tan Sri Bujang Mohd Nor, Bidayuh veteran political leader Datuk Seri Dominic Dagok Raden apart from veteran politician and Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) founder Datuk Seri Tra Zehnder.
Apart from Abdul Malik, the two others from Sabah were veteran politician Tan Sri Datuk Ampung Payon and former Sabah Cabinet minister Datuk Pang Tet Tshung.
TOO COMFORTABLE
Dr Sivamurugan, 39, of Tanjung Malim, Perak admitted that the present younger generation felt too comfortable with what the nation had earned so far.
"It is very hard for Malaysians who were born after independence to imagine the hardship of living under the colonial rule and how tough it was for the freedom fighters in their struggle for independence.
"The government needs to draw out a programme to enable the younger generation to understand the meaning of achieving independence and to inculcate the spirit of patriotism in them," he said.
Dominic Dagok, 75, said the 1Malaysia concept of "People First, Performance Now", the brainchild of the Prime Minister, became the ignition to ensure that all
Malaysians remained united and the country to continue its advance, fired on the patriotism of the pre- and post-Merdeka era.
"The 1Malaysia concept is the continuity for us to enjoy what had been achieved by independence. It also enhances further the unity and creation of the Malaysian race," he said.
COOPERATION
Dagok from Kampung Krusen in Serian said the people had to appreciate the principle of 1Malaysia in order to build a more progressive and successful Malaysia.
"Hence, the spirit of 1Malaysia should be inculcated in all aspects of life that belongs to the diverse ethnic groups to ensure that Malaysia continues to advance," said the former president of the National Bidayuh Association.
Dr Khoo, 72, the academician who is also known for his views on sports, and politics, said all of the political parties in the country should play their respective roles in making the 1Malaysia concept a success.
They should refrain from fuelling racial issues, he said.
"The nation's politics should move towards integration and avoid being towards separation as it will cause splits in the unity that has been firmly forged.
"The country's politicians should abandon the approach of giving interest only to a certain race instead they should encourage national integration for all Malaysians," he said.
ADVICE FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION
Dr Khoo, who is from Kampar, Perak said the younger generation should embrace the Malaysian sense of belonging in the effort to achieve the 1Malaysia concept.
He said the younger generation now had placed the interest of their own race first before that of all other Malaysians.
"Everytime they introduce themselves, they would say 'I'm Chinese or Malay or Indian'. Is there anything wrong by saying that I'm a Malaysian of Chinese descent?
"This is a stepping stone towards realising the 1Malaysia concept, Such mindset must be changed. We should inculcate the Malaysian sense of belonging to uplift the nation's dignity and realised the 1Malayia concept", he said.
Dr Hassan, 73, the Malaysian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Unesco, who is from Muar, Johor said the national policy should be improved and scrutinised to play a more sterling role in firing up the 1Malaysia spirit.
He called for the New Economic Policy to be more people-friendly in tandem with the philosophy of 'People First, Performance Now'.
"We should not be the victims of globalisation but we should advance according to our own model, rythmn and suitability to grasp the 1Malaysia concept", he said.
SPORTS THE BEST PLATFORM
For Zaiton Othman, sports is the best platform to unite Malaysians of various ethnic groups.
Zaiton, 50, of Paya Keladi, Seberang Perai, Pulau Pinang was Malaysia's champion in various international competitions like the SEA Games and Asian Games.
"Via sports, the 1Malaysia spirit can be easily infused to promote unity among the diverse ethnic groups like supporting and rooting for the Malaysian sportsmen and sportswomen in competitions," she said.
"Hence all programmes and efforts to develop sports in the country should have the 1Malaysia element," she added.
-- BERNAMA
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