United we will get there

The catch is in the word “united”. All through history there are lessons that tell us how nations fell when their people were divided. Invaders found easy passage to occupy and to rule, in some cases for over a hundred years, redefining cultures and influencing centuries-old traditions.

In today’s global scenario invasion is more complicated than that. The outcomes of a people divided are quite different. Essentially economies slow down and become sluggish as disunity disrupts and eventually destroys by impoverishing nations.

In countries where the people are divided, suspicion will rule and the slightest issue will be blown out of proportion and, not surprisingly, conflicts leading to violence will take hold.

As we celebrate the coming together of Malaysia as a nation with people of diverse origins, let us pause to give thought to this word “unity”. We have known it all our lives because our diversity demands cohesion in order to arrive at goals that benefit us all.

Unity is as necessary as the air we breathe. It is a vital resource that serves as the glue that connects us all. We need unity not just as a people of a nation but as individuals living in communities and working in companies.

There is so much disunity in the world today that our ability to overcome even the smallest issues will build for us a solid reputation for stability and peace.

Certainly, unity does not come easy. It is about making sacrifices, controlling emotions and allowing the mind to stay rational and objective even as those around us attempt to disrupt the peace we have enjoyed for so many years.

The plans that have been put in motion benefit us all. But we cannot enjoy the fruits of our labour if we don’t move as one people, speak with one voice and act as one united nation.

This Malaysia Day let us embrace the spirit of unity that brought us to this day so it may take us to our destination etched out in Vision 2020.

Let us work together as one nation and accelerate the process of transformation and be the oasis in the desert of global conflict and uncertainty.