Very few societies in the world can match the genuine warmth, camaraderie and unity shown by Malaysia’s three main ethnicities, a former Straits Times senior editor has observed in a new book.
Yap Koon Hong said ties between members of the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities are usually warm, friendly and accommodating — especially in private settings.
He said the inter-racial amity and friendship that has developed naturally among the three races was an “amazing achievement” considering each is markedly different from a historic, religious and cultural standpoint, including as regards food and spiritual beliefs.
“There isn’t a problem when it comes to all three races sitting at the same table to enjoy a meal together because each respects the other’s religious and cultural beliefs,” Yap wrote in his book titled “Notes To Myself And You”.
The veteran newsman said the Malays are renowned worldwide as a progressive role model for Islam based on the respect and accommodation accorded to the non-Malays in the practice of their respective religions.
This is reinforced by their spirit of hospitality and neighbourliness, an under-appreciated trait which tends to be obscured by persistent Western stereotypes about Muslims.
Yap said Chinese, Indians and other non-Muslims in Malaysia — a significant number of whom are Christians — accept and respect the special position of Islam as the nation’s official religion.
Such recognition is important, he said, given the ignorance and antipathy towards Islam in the Christian West.
“This unusual Malaysian socio-religious gear of accommodation and abiding respect among the nation’s three major races is rare globally and overlooked regularly abroad.”
Unfortunately, Yap said ties among three major races are dualistic in nature.
While they are in private settings a “blessing to hold and behold”, that achievement is negated by narratives prevalent in the public sphere.
He lamented that politics has sown deep prejudices, suspicion and feelings of inadequacy and inequality between the three races, driving a wedge that is pushing them into “pointless cul-de-sacs of racial groupthink”.
Such divisive politics creates situations which see the Malays, Chinese and Indians clash — a conundrum, he said, that needs fixing.
“Resolving it will require an effort aimed at the positive, by neutralising the negative inclinations each race has about the other before heading towards earnest discussions to resolve issues.”
“Notes To Myself And You” is available on Amazon Prime in e-book form, while the printed version is available only in Malaysia and Singapore by direct purchase and delivery.
Readers who want to purchase the book, priced at RM60, may contact [email protected] or call +6017 3350 855.
Alternatively, they may contact CK Yap at +6012 7932 366.
