Kuala lumpur: National unity is not merely a slogan to be chanted, but must be translated into efforts to ensure justice, equal opportunities and the confidence that all Malaysians share a common future. Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Distinguished Fellow Datuk Dr Anis Yusal Yusoff emphasized this point during a recent speech.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Anis highlighted how the approach taken by the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein in addressing unity issues following the May 13, 1969 incident demonstrated that peace alone does not guarantee true unity. Reflecting on Tun Razak's legacy, Dr Anis remarked, "Tun Razak's legacy reminds us that unity cannot be imposed, forced, or merely proclaimed. Unity must be built through justice, consultation, equal opportunities and the confidence that despite all our differences, our future remains a shared future."

Dr Anis made these remarks during the Bicara Negarawan session at a programme to commemorate Tun Abdul Razak at the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial. He urged Malaysians to appreciate Tun Abdul Razak's efforts to foster unity through the Rukun Negara and the New Economic Policy (NEP). He explained that these frameworks should be viewed collectively, as the Rukun Negara serves as a guiding compass for the society Malaysia aims to build, while the NEP addresses economic disparities.

He further stressed that unity should not be seen as the sole responsibility of the Ministry of National Unity. Instead, policies on education, housing, employment, poverty eradication, governance, and integrity significantly impact how Malaysians experience justice and unity in their daily lives.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on the younger generation to not merely remember Tun Abdul Razak as a historical figure but to rekindle his spirit of struggle and ideas in confronting the challenges of nation-building. He noted, "Remembering a statesman can uncover history, inspire change, revive the spirit of what is right to serve as lessons and guidance."

This sentiment of unity and racial harmony was evident during the recent 69th National Day celebration at Dataran Putrajaya on August 31, where more than 100,000 people gathered to celebrate patriotism and love for the country.