Rudyard Kipling"
“When you're left wounded on Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains, Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
General Douglas MacArthur"
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.” “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .” “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
A call for a united Malaysia By Ranjit Singh Malhi
Monday, March 30, 2026
Malaysiakini : Historical truths we must acknowledge
To begin
with, let us acknowledge that the Orang Asli are the earliest
inhabitants of Peninsular Malaysia who have lived on this land for tens
of thousands of years. Their presence represents the foundational layer
of our nation’s history. Our Orang Asli brothers and sisters are an
integral part of our multi-tiered society.
As noted by Iskandar
Carey in “Orang Asli: The Aboriginal Tribes of Peninsular Malaysia”, the
Orang Asli occupy a “special position as the truly indigenous
inhabitants” of the peninsula. He further emphasised that they lived in
the region “before the arrival of the other races, that is, the Malays,
the Chinese and the Indians”.
Centuries later, the Malays (early
migrants) emerged as the definitive people of the peninsula, shaping its
political institutions, cultural identity, and systems of governance
through the establishment of enduring sultanates. The rise of powerful
polities such as the Malacca sultanate in the fifteenth century marked a
turning point in the consolidation of Malay political authority and
cultural influence in our society.
In modern times, the Malays
have constituted the core of our nation’s political leadership since
independence. Our civil service has been largely drawn from the Malay
community.
So too have been our army and police, who help to
secure our borders and ensure that law and order prevail. Malaysia’s
constitutional monarchy, which is rooted in the system of Malay rulers,
serves as a bedrock of stability and harmony in our often-fractious
society.
This
dual recognition is not contradictory. Rather, it reflects the
richness, depth, and complexity of Malaysia’s historical evolution and
our uniquely layered multi-ethnic heritage.
Contributions of all communities
Malaysia,
as it exists today, is the product of the contributions, sacrifices,
and aspirations of diverse communities. Over time, people of different
ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds have come together – through
labour, enterprise, intellect, and service – to build and sustain the
nation.
From
early trade networks and colonial economic development to
post-independence nation-building, the contributions of multiple
communities are the defining hallmark of our national identity.
Non-Malay communities (later migrants) have played a vital role in Malaysia’s nation-building and economic development.
Chinese
entrepreneurs and labourers were central to the growth of tin mining,
commerce, and urban centres, laying the foundations of modern industry
and trade. Indian communities contributed significantly to plantation
agriculture, public works, railways, security, and the civil service.
Over
time, both communities expanded into business, education, medicine,
law, and the professions, strengthening the nation’s human capital.
Alongside
other minority groups and together with the Malays, they enriched
Malaysia’s cultural diversity, stimulated economic growth, and
contributed to the emergence of a dynamic and resilient multi-ethnic
society.
Equally, East Malaysians,
including the Ibans, Kadazandusun, and many other indigenous
communities of Sabah and Sarawak, have played a vital role in
nation-building. Their rich cultural heritage, stewardship of the land,
and contributions in public service, defence, and governance have
strengthened the Malaysian federation.
Any
meaningful call for unity must fully recognise and honour their
rightful place as equal partners in the nation’s past, present, and
future.
Any narrative that diminishes, ignores, or excludes these
contributions does a disservice to truth and undermines the very
foundations of our national unity.
Eschewing the label ‘pendatang’
It
is therefore both unjust and historically unsound to label non-Malays
as pendatang in a derogatory manner that questions their legitimacy,
belonging, or citizenship. Such a label is not only divisive; it is
deeply damaging to the project of nation-building that remains
challenging.
A mature and confident society does not foster unity
by devaluing others. It nurtures unity by recognising shared belonging,
mutual dignity, and common purpose.
They
have worked, sacrificed, paid taxes, defended the nation, developed
institutions, and contributed to every sphere of national life. They are
not outsiders to Malaysia’s story - they are an integral part of it.
Faithful to constitutional vision
Let
us remain faithful to the vision of our founding fathers and the Malay
rulers: a nation that is secular in character and allows freedom of
worship, multi-ethnic in composition, and ultimately just and
non-discriminatory.
The framework that binds this diverse society
into a cohesive nation is the Federal Constitution. It remains the
supreme law of the land, providing both the structure of governance and
the moral compass of the nation. It recognises the special position of
the Malays and the indigenous peoples under Article 153.
At
the same time, it also guarantees equality before the law under Article
8 and citizenship rights irrespective of ethnicity. It is within this
judiciously balanced constitutional framework that Malaysia’s identity
as a multi-ethnic, inclusive, and just society must be understood and
preserved.
A shared homeland, a shared vision
In
light of these realities, we must affirm that Malaysia is a shared
homeland. It does not belong exclusively to any single group, but to all
who are bound by citizenship, loyalty, and a shared commitment to its
future.
Unity, therefore, cannot be built on exclusionary
narratives or bigoted and divisive rhetoric. It must be grounded in
truth, mutual respect, and a genuine appreciation of diversity as a
source of strength.
Malaysia urgently needs to rekindle its shared
national vision, one that rises above ethnic suspicions and sectarian
politics. Malaysia’s vision should be to become a just, inclusive, and
progressive nation where every citizen, regardless of ethnicity or
religion, feels a genuine sense of national belonging.
Such a
vision must inspire all citizens to see themselves first and foremost as
Malaysians, bound together by a common destiny. We must learn to work
together, not as competing ethnic communities, but as partners in a
common national enterprise.
No community can build Malaysia alone. And no community should be made to feel that it does not fully belong to the nation.
What Malaysians must do
To
translate this vision into reality, Malaysians must embrace certain
fundamental guiding principles. There must first be a commitment to a
truthful and inclusive historical understanding, one that acknowledges
the contributions of all communities fairly and accurately.
Respect
for diversity must be practised consistently in everyday life,
transcending differences of ethnicity, religion, and culture.
Citizens
must consciously reject divisive narratives that promote prejudice,
exclusion, or superiority, and instead uphold constitutional values that
define rights and responsibilities within a shared legal framework.
Above
all, Malaysians must actively build bridges across communities,
fostering trust, empathy, cooperation, and a common national purpose.
The role of government
The
government bears a profound responsibility in shaping a united nation.
It must ensure that education, particularly the teaching of history,
reflects a balanced, accurate, and inclusive national narrative.
History
can unite a nation, but only if it is narrated truthfully and
inclusively. Scholars such as Azmi Sharom have cautioned against narrow
historical interpretations that undermine critical thinking and
inclusiveness.
Equally important, the government must uphold
justice and equality through the impartial application of laws, while
honouring constitutional provisions. Public policies should promote
national integration and social cohesion rather than deepen divisions.
National
leaders, in particular, must demonstrate integrity, reject divisive
politics, and articulate a unifying vision that inspires collective
purpose and national confidence.
Truth, courage, and collective will
Ultimately,
a united Malaysia will not emerge by accident. It must be consciously
and consistently built through courage in confronting uncomfortable
truths, discipline in upholding justice, and sincerity in fostering
inclusiveness.
The responsibility lies not only with institutions of governance but also with every citizen who calls this nation home.
If Malaysia is to thrive in the years ahead, it must remain steadfast in its commitment to unity in diversity.
A national pledge
Let this be our pledge:
To honour the truth of our shared past.
To uphold the principles of justice and equality.
To reject discord and embrace unity.
To work together for the common good.
And
to build a Malaysia that is not only prosperous and stable, but also
just, inclusive, and truly united – for this generation and those to
come.
