Earlier today, Malaysia paused for a minute of silence on the nationwide day of mourning as the first remains of the 43 Malaysians killed in the MH17 shoot-down in eastern Ukraine last month were flown back.

As the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah received solemnly the coffins at KLIA, flags were flown at half-mast while many stopped their cars out of respect for the fallen fellow citizens regardless of creed, race and religion. Tragic and sad, but it has been perhaps the most meaningful ceremony that Malaysians have had as a nation in recent years.

Sometimes, calamity does bring people together, for it allows us to experience the same emotion and reminds us that we are in one heart and spirit.

MH17 was a disaster that we did not deserve, and it was heartening to see many Malaysians defend MAS over harsh and unfair criticisms from all quarters. We may differ over how the national carrier has been run and over the way to salvage its dwindling business fortunes, but there is no shortage of Malaysians who are ready to stand by the crew and the staff team who have lost 27 colleagues and friends in a short span of just four months.

The twin tragedies have given Malaysians a new opportunity to ponder on how Malaysia as a nation should move on from here. There is no denying that the country has been split down the middle politically since 2008, while religious and ethnic disputes have flared up at an alarming rate. Many have lost heart, wondering if the country that they call home and have taken pride in will survive.

But MH370 and MH17 have demonstrated clearly that we are a community of fate, whether we like it or not. Although a significant number of Malaysians may opt for the easy way out by migrating over to greener pastures, the fact remains that the majority do not have the means and, most importantly, the will to quit.

And it leads us to question what kind of a nation of intent we desire. On the surface, the debate on or dispute over the future of Malaysia revolves largely around the division of bumiputra and non-bumiputra, or us vs them, a careful analysis will reveal that it is far more complicated than that.

For instance, how are we to explain the conflicting visions among the Malays? Is it not a well-known reality that Umno and PAS supporters do not see eye to eye on policies related to the economy and religion, although they may both agree the so-called affirmative action as being practiced now is in dire need of corrective measures to make it fair to more people?

As for the non-Malays, they are to some extent divided more by whether or not Malaysians should all speak a same language (English, mind you) than they are united on the abolition of the New Economic Policy.

Sympathetic audience

It is not uncommon for Perkasa and Isma to find a sympathetic audience from among the English-speaking Malaysians who share the view that vernacular education is a hindrance to national integration, although their prescription would be for Malaysia to use English as a first language like Singapore, as opposed to the radical Malay groups that demand loyalty to the nation through the Malay language.

Hence, although there are enough issues - from religion, education, language to culture - that seem to tear Malaysia apart, we should be thankful that we do not - at least not yet - resort to military conflict to resolve them as is the case in Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, all of which had looked more promising than Malaysia in terms of uniting the various communities and forging a national identity at the end of WWII.

As Malaysians share the pain and sorrow of those who have lost their loved ones in MH17 - and we must not forget other nationalities on board, too - we should also seize the opportunity to rethink how are we to articulate our visions - fragmented they may be - for the country. We must learn from the lessons of the neighbouring countries by seeking to maintain peace and order, but also to expand the democratic space so that various views and arguments can be represented.

Imagine if one day Utusan Malaysia would carry articles on why our secular federal constitution has to be defended at all costs, while the infamous TV3 would run a feature on poverty affecting the Indian and other bumiputra communities in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, instead of just serving as the government’s mouthpiece, that would be a new dawn and more Malays would realise many of the ailments that inflict the country today are not necessary racial, religious or ethnic in nature.

And the non-Muslims should learn to be more aware of why certain international issues such as Palestine are dear to our fellow Muslim Malaysians. Honestly, people should not make fun of those who protest outside McDonald’s outlets over Gaza. After all, it is everyone’s democratic right to voice indignation peacefully. Would one laugh if the protest is in support of one’s own welfare, let’s say the right to mother tongue education and religious freedom?

Of course, for those people who harass and even threaten physically McDonald’s staff members just because they think their cause is higher than that of others, they deserve to be condemned and dealt with under the law.

Early this week, MRT Corp chief executive officer Azhar Abdul Hamid (left) has earned my full respect with his resignation following the accident that killed three Bangladeshi workers. This is called integrity and the man has restored some honour to datukship. While Malaysian leaders with integrity may be few and far between, the onus is actually on us to press for more people like Azhar.

In sum, as we mourn for those who departed tragically in MH17 and are united in grief, we ought also to stay hopeful that we can as a nation learn to handle our differences with respect and maturity. So long as we do not go down the road of name-calling and dirt-throwing, there is still a chance for reconciliation and for righting the wrongs.

May the fallen ones rest in peace. Salam takziah and al-Fatihah.


JOSH HONG studied politics at London Metropolitan University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. A keen watcher of domestic and international politics, he longs for a day when Malaysians will learn and master the art of self-mockery, and enjoy life to the full in spite of politicians.