The future of this country is not determined by a person's race

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad,

YOU recently called upon Malay party leaders, supporters, and voters to choose Malay candidates in the coming General Election.

You also stated that the loyalty of Malays should first belong to the Malay race, not to any political party or NGO.

As a Malaysian citizen, I respect the right of every person to express their political views and the right of every citizen to cherish their own culture and identity.

But I want to raise four questions.

First: What is the most important measure when we choose a leader? Their race? Or their ability, integrity, governance record, and willingness to govern fairly for all?

If race is made the primary measure, what then is the meaning of elections? Are elections not meant to test the ability, policies, and accountability of a leader?

Second: When we face a dilemma between the law and racial identity, what should we uphold first?

If a leader is investigated for abuse of power or corruption, should we defend them simply because they share our race?

Or should we defend the principle that the law applies equally to all?

Today, our country is governed on the basis of the Federal Constitution. The law ought to protect every citizen, not change according to race.

Third: What truly determines the future of any community in this country? The quality of education. Economic opportunity. A clean government. Efficient administration. A fair judiciary.

These issues do not affect Malays alone. They affect everyone, Chinese, Indians, and all Malaysians.

The future of this country is not determined by a person's race, but by how this country is governed, whether cleanly, efficiently, fairly, and accountably.

Fourth: What is it that we defend together? I believe every citizen has the right to cherish their own culture and identity.

But in public affairs, what we must defend together is the Federal Constitution, the spirit of the rule of law, the democratic system, and the equal rights of every citizen.

The true strength of a nation does not lie in having the same identity. It lies in our collective willingness to defend justice, equality, the rule of law, and governance with integrity.

The question before us today is not who owns this country. It is: what kind of Malaysia do we want to leave to our children and grandchildren? A country that chooses its leaders based solely on race? Or a country that chooses its leaders based on ability, integrity, policy, and performance?

I believe that race deserves respect. But the future of this country must be built on ability, integrity, policy, and performance, not racial identity.

This is how we defend the Malaysia that belongs to all of us.

Chan Hon Ying

A Malaysian citizen who has long remained in a hospital bed, yet continues to care about the nation and its people.

The observations reflect the writer's personal insights and do not necessarily represent the official stance of The Vibes.com