On Aug 5, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reminded Malaysians to preserve the nations independence and freedom that the father of independence Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj had fought to achieve.
Anwar also called on Malaysians to honour and preserve the values championed by the nations first prime minister.
Officiating a programme called Remembering statesman Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Anwar quoted the words of Tunku when he read the proclamation of independence 67 years ago: Our country must remain independent and sovereign, and all its people peaceful, prosperous and safe forever.
In the speech, delivered by his deputy Fadillah Yusof, Anwar said: Now, our collective responsibility is to preserve this independence and give meaning to a free and sovereign nation.
This aligns with the governments aspiration to create a Malaysian Madani society that always respects each other, celebrates diversity, and serves as a platform for civilisational dialogue imbued with compassion and mutual assistance, ensuring a peaceful society without conflict.
As we celebrate Merdeka Day (Aug 31) and Malaysia Day (Sept 16), it is only right that we look back to and salute Tunku and the other founding fathers of both an independent Malaya and an independent Malaysia.
We should remind ourselves of the vision that shaped Merdeka and the formation of Malaysia, and strive to continue that journey without being derailed by the politics of division and the agendas of individuals and groups which weaponise race and religion to satiate their hunger for power, pelf or both.
Tunku was the first prime minister of an independent Malaya from 1957 to 1963 when it became part of Malaysia, together with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. He was prime minister of Malaysia when Singapore was kicked out in 1965. He resigned in 1970.
Tunkus words and policies were geared towards ensuring a democratic and united nation with a multicultural identity. He was driven by a desire to make Malaysians happy and, in the international arena, to be friends with everyone.
He was truly Bapa Malaysia because he treated all citizens as Malaysians and did not differentiate them based on race or religion. During his leadership, there was no talk of one religion or one race being superior to others.
Tunku took the trouble to ensure that no citizen felt he was second-class.
Unfortunately, in the last few decades there has been much talk about one race or one religion being superior, and there is much private chatter among some sections of the population about being treated as second-class citizens.
As a journalist, I have covered Tunku and, on a couple of occasions, I have had chats with him. But all this was more than a decade after he left office.
For instance, I filed a story for the New Straits Times on Oct 11, 1987 about Tunkus visit to Baling, Kedah, where he said Malaysia would continue to experience peace and harmony if the Merdeka promises made by the various communities were kept.
Tunku was then visiting Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Tunku Putra named after him. It was in two classrooms of this school that the historic Baling Peace Talks were held between a delegation led by Tunku and another by communist party secretary-general Chin Peng on Dec 29 and 30, 1955.
He released 84 balloons signifying his age before addressing an eager crowd.
Umno and the Malays, Tunku said, had realised that they could not achieve independence on their own and needed the support of the other races. It was through this co-operation that independence was won, he added.
In coming together to fight for independence, promises were made by and to each of the races.
Among other things it was agreed that Islam would be the official religion but that there would be freedom of worship and that everyone could live in dignity as and how they pleased.
Everyone must respect these promises and the agreement arrived at. No one must assume that they are greater or could ignore these promises. If the promises are kept, I am sure Malaysia will continue to be a peaceful land, he said.
Talking to newsmen later, Tunku regretted that there were some younger Malaysians who did not know about or did not care for these promises.
Some of them want an Islamic state and want Islamic law for all Malaysians. Things like these will tear the people poles apart and aggravate racial polarisation.
No one should interfere with the way any person or community wants to lead his or its life, he said.
In March 1985, he told a few of us: We (Malaysians) must always live and let live. We must respect each other and help each other so that we can live happy lives. I want everyone to be happy.
In fact, Tunku has expressed this live and let live precept and its importance in a multiracial, multireligious nation untold times.
The question to ask as we celebrate Merdeka and Malaysia Day is this: Are we being guided by the vision of the founding fathers?
We can start by emphasising the live and let live precept. The government should lead the way.
All federal and state policies must be guided by the live and let live precept and be implemented in such a way that no Malaysian feels alienated against, or that certain ways or values are being imposed on him or her.
If we truly wish to honour Tunku and the founding fathers, we should live and let live not just in words but in practice.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.