Opinion

A message from the founder of The Vibes – Vinod Sekhar

Only through unity can we learn what being Malaysian truly means and reject hateful rhetoric

Updated 8 months ago · Published on 31 Aug 2023 9:04AM

A message from the founder of The Vibes – Vinod Sekhar
The National Day parade at Dataran Putrajaya this morning. Today marks the 66th anniversary of the Federation of Malaya’s independence from the British. – Information Department pic, August 31, 2023

by Vinod Sekhar

WHAT a ride our nation has been on these last many years.  

Desperately trying to cling on to what defines us. Always facing headwinds in our attempts. 

Our country has issues, it has always had issues. We are a complex nation with our people being multicultural, multiracial, multi-religious and multilingual. 

But finally we now have a chance to find a way back to our soul. To our truth. 

Only if we understand the fact that we are one, we are singularly plural, can we fight the fools and idiots who try to divide us with fear and hate, thriving on ignorance. 

I love my country. I would die for my country. There is no nation like Malaysia. 

The Malaysian people are incredible, unique and have incredibly open hearts. 

Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar says we Malaysians may disagree on many issues, but we must all love this nation and love each other as families do. – The Vibes pic, August 31, 2023
Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar says we Malaysians may disagree on many issues, but we must all love this nation and love each other as families do. – The Vibes pic, August 31, 2023

Very simply I can say that many governments have failed, I can say that many politicians have failed, and failed to represent the Malaysian soul. 

But I can never say that my country has failed me. My country is what I stand up for, and my country’s soul is worth fighting for. I will love my country till the day I die. 

Happy Merdeka and Selamat Hari Kebangsaan to all my brothers and sisters in Malaya – Malaysia’s formation celebration is soon to come. 

We can disagree on issues, but we must all love this nation and love each other as families do. 

Let’s not allow the politicians that survive on hate and division to define us. Let’s define ourselves. 

God bless us all. God Bless Malaysia. Selamat Hari Merdeka!!  – The Vibes August 31, 2023

Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar is chairman and chief executive of PETRA Group

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