Patriotism by universal standards is alive again in Malaysia – Concerned Malaysians

The Malaysian Insider
14 December 2014

We the undersigned Malaysian citizens from all walks of life hereby register our hopes, admiration and, above all, our support to the call for rational dialogues that was recently penned by 25 right-minded, inspired and courageous citizens.

The widely-published Letter penned by 25 eminent and determined Who-is-Who in Malaysia certainly ignites a bright and encouraging light at the end of Malaysia’s darkened tunnel of politics.

We concur with the issues raised by this group of distinguished Malaysian Malay-Muslims and appeal to the country’s leadership and especially the ruling political party to address the concerns raised vis-à-vis the “continuing unresolved disputes on the position and application of Islamic laws in this country”.

Indeed Malaysia’s ability and “responsibility” in “demonstrating that justice is done and seen to be done”, is the very cornerstone of this multiracial, multi-religious and multicultural population once dubbed with hope as the “Rising Asian Tiger”.

As much as we support unconditionally the belief held by the patriotic Group of 25 noble men and women in so far as Islam is concerned, we likewise call upon, along those same parameters, that all religions beholden to the various faithful should be allowed “to continue to be relevant and universal in our times”; and the teachings of our respective faiths must be allowed and continue to evolve without any agenda of fear, misrepresentation, oppression or blinkered justice.

To our courageous, informed and well-intended Group of 25 illustrious men and women, we salute you for your expressions of concern and for categorically speaking without fear or favour but in the best and sole interest of nation building.

We assert that, no nation can progress when politics and religion get muddled with self-serving and narrow agendas; no progress can last when religion is made a scapegoat or pawn on the political checkerboard; no religion ruins civilization when we take the moderate path that is universally proclaimed and cherished.

For we too concur that religion has guided all of God’s creation professing their respective beliefs, through harsh and challenging times.

Hence, the statement made by this inspired group that “there are many pressing issues affecting all of us that need the urgent leadership and vision of the Prime Minister, the support of his Cabinet and all moderate Malaysians” secures our unconditional support.

The time is here and now and we must not be guilty as a nation for letting this opportunity slip by. This is a defining period in our national transformation quests and so we must see to the rational dialogue on the application of Islamic laws and other laws in the country.

The Federal Constitution must reign supreme for it has and shall always be the torch that leads us as a one nation of people, united, out of these darkening clouds of divisiveness, confusion and misguided justice.

No right minded Malaysian will let this nation be pockmarked and marred by any form of extremism – be it in politics, social, economy or the environment. We will and we are certain too that millions more, will defend our nationhood from any form of extremism.

And in that spirit desiring to be free of fear, suspicion and hatred, we are heartened to note and do value the numerous rounds of applause within corporate corridors, the marketplace, on the internet highways and the media-scape as people share their support and hopes on the matters of concern raised by the Group of 25 Malaysian Malay-Muslim personalities. – December 14, 2014.

* The Concerned Malaysians who endorse this letter are as follows:

1. J.D.Lovrenciear, director, Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia
2. Brig General (R) Datuk Mohd Arshad Mohd Raji, Chairman – Asian Public Relations Academy
3. Datuk Mahadev Shankar, former Court of Appeal Judge and three-time Royal Commissioner
4. Datuk Saw Choo Boon, former chairman of Shell Malaysia
5. Datuk Pardip Kumar Kukreja, chairman, Malaysia Nepal Business Council
6. Datuk Halim Abdullah, retired civil servant, former state secretary Penang
7. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Trustee 1Malaysia Foundation
8. Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, former secretary-general, Ministry of Transport, deputy secretary-general Ministry of Finance.
9. Datuk Wira (Dr) Ameer Mydin, managing director, Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad
10. Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, former president Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
11. Datuk A.Vaithilingam, founder and former president of the MCCBCHST. Former president, Malaysia Hindu Sangam
12. Datuk Ramli Yusof, senior partner, Ramli Yusoff & Co.
13. Michael Kang, national vice-president, SMI Association of Malaysia
14. Sardar Harcharan Singh, founder, former president, vice-president of the Malaysian Gurudwaras Council
15. Datuk Taizoon H.Tyebkhan, former president, Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry
16. Datuk SH Wong, chairman, Malaysian American Electronics Industry (MAEI), Amcham
17. Datuk Bhupat Rai Premji, director India International Bank
18. Wan Saiful Wan Jan, chief executive, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas)
19. Datuk Andy Seo, executive chairman of Alphaprima Engineering Sdn Bhd.
20. Datuk Kesav Aggarwal, executive director, Bharat Group of Companies.
21. Lachman Naraindas JSM, AMN, former president KL & Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry(KLSICCI)
22. Datuk Dr. R.Palan, chairman/CEO SMRT Holdings Berhad
23. Selvaraja Chinniah, advocate & solicitor
24. Stephen Nah, founder & member, Service Civil International (SCI Malaysia)
25. Datuk V.L.Kandan, former Member of the Selangor State Executive Council
26. Datuk Din Merican, senior research fellow, Cambodian Institute of Cooperation & Peace and adjucnt professor
27. Datin Dr Kamsiah Haider, University Associate Professor and Dental Surgeon
28. S.C.Shekar, photojournalist & publisher
29. Lynette Yeow, advocate & solicitor
30. Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, secretary-general, Proham
31. Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, CEO Asli
32. Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah, former commissioner, Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam)
33. Andrew Khoo, advocate & solicitor, High Court of Malaysia.