I am Malaysia – And I am a Malay

By ๐˜๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐Ÿ ๐‡๐š๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฆ
Pic social media.

“I believe in a Malaysia where being Malay is not a privilege, but a responsibility.’

On September 16, 2025, my  Malaysia will celebrate its 60th Malaysia day.

Thatโ€™s just a year and two weeks more, to the day I met my other half on September 3rd 1966.

As on every Malaysia day, I want to say something, if I may:

I am Malaysia. And I am Malay. But I do not believe this land belongs only to me.

I am part of a nation built by many hands, many hearts, and many hopes.

Our stories are intertwined, our futures shared.

Iโ€™ve seen how race and religion have been used to divide us.

Sometimes, even within my own community, I hear words that make me cringe.

Words that suggest others are less Malaysian, less deserving, less โ€œus.โ€.

And I feel uneasy. Because I know this isnโ€™t who we are meant to be.

To my fellow Malaysians who are Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli, Eurasian, Chindian, Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Bajau, Rungus, Lundayeh, Bisaya, Orang Sungai, Tidong, Suluk, Iranun, Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Lun Bawang, Penan, and more, I see you. I honour your contributions.

And I believe this country is yours, is ours, as much as it is mine.

Youโ€™ve built this land alongside us. Youโ€™ve loved it, defended it, and youโ€™ve helped shape it.

And though some of our politicians want to deny it, I acknowledge your contributions, and I will say they are wrong.

You deserve to feel fully at home here. Because Malaysia is as much yours as it is mine.

I also want to speak, gently, about something close to my heart.

As a Muslim, I hold my faith dearly.

But Iโ€™ve noticed how, at times, religion is drawn into politics in ways that trouble me. Islam is a faith of compassion, justice, peace and humility.

It should never be used to instil fear, or to exclude.

I say this not to accuse, but to remind. That our faith, like our nation, is strongest when it uplifts everyone.

I believe in a Malaysia where being Malay is not a privilege, but a responsibility.

Where Islam is practiced with sincerity, not politicised.

Where our differences are not threats, but blessings.

I am Malaysia.

And I want my children and grand-children, and my first great grandchild, who will be arriving in a few weeks, to be part of a future where we all walk forward together. 

With dignity, with respect, and with love for everybody, and for this land we all call home.

Editor: The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect  that of talantang.com

This article has appeared in the writer’s FB.