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| The writer (middle) believes that a beautiful camaraderie makes life a wonderful journey. |
Promoting our cultural identity and unity through
simple, yet meaningful cartoons for five decades has earned our patriotic
cartoonist Datuk Mohd Nor Khalid, fondly known as Lat, the 2014 Merdeka Award,
making his effort worth it.
Lat
has immersed in his art of unity through cartoons promoting
cultural pluralism. His achievement teaches us that with continuous
effort, we will achieve our goals. He has made cartoons an
effective way to foster unity, respect and understanding among the ethnic groups in the country.
Within a single image, it is enough to portray the
beauty of being Malaysians while the priceless messages and inspiring humour in
the picture invite every Malaysian to stay united and be happy as one big
family.
As a caring and thoughtful citizen, Lat is proud and
honoured to carry out his duty in promoting unity. What about us? Have we put
any effort in strengthening racial integration? Or have we been individualistic
citizens who show little care to other people?
Truth
be told, sharing has the power to bring one race closer to another but
Malaysians, unfortunately, do not share much between races. People from different races do not engage in social interaction
and this practice will only widen racial gaps and encourage racial singularity.
When we have the chance to share, we do not make use of the chance wisely. Now,
let us think and reflect.
We share the same country but are we aware of
racial conflicts happening in a different state? We share the same workplace
but how comfortable and sincere are we when working with other colleagues of
different races? We share the same neighbourhood, but do we treat our
neighbours, regardless of races and religions, the same? Our children share the
same school with other races, but do they mix when they form a study group or a
football team? Or do they compete against each other?
Chances
are the only racial interactions happen when we order food in restaurants, pay
bills at counters, seek loans from bank officers, get medical treatment in a hospital, or repair cars in workshops, in which the persons in charge are of
different races and we have no choice. If that is the situation, we just lose
the privilege of living in a multicultural and multiracial society.
We
need to preserve our unity and harmony by developing mutual respect.
It
is time for us to communicate with each other.
Courtesy of New Straits Times
15 December 2014
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