Festivities Effective Tool To Foster Unity And Tolerance

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Festivities have become an effective tool in fostering greater unity, understanding and mutual respect among Malaysians under the spirit of 1Malaysia.

MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu said Christmas and other festivities had been more effective in fostering a "greater unity" spirit among Malaysians and it was only through such festivities that Malaysians had the opportunity to truly value and understand each other's cultural differences.

"Its (festivities) uniqueness is that people will set aside whatever differences, and come together as 1Malaysia," he said in his Christmas greetings.

He said Malaysia had been successful in managing its race relations since independence "simply because we realise that we need each other to survive".

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said that over the years, mutual respect and understanding had become the socia l fabric that held together this nation whose people are of diverse origins.

"For that social fabric to remain strong, we need to continue moving away from mere tolerance and foster mutual respect, understanding and even acceptance.

"But, particularly at this time of goodwill, we must remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves or for whom success in life is not so easy and for whom ambitions and New Year resolutions are only a fantasy," he said in his Christmas greetings posted in his blog.

Ong said that while the government was committed to a people-first mission it could not solve everyone's problems and communities, families and individuals must do more for themselves.

Christmas, he said, was an opportunity to spend some quality time with the family and to resolve to do better next year.

People's Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M. Kayveas, in his greetings, said Malaysians were able to celebrate Christmas with joy and in peace because all strata of the society were united in the 1Malaysia spirit.

However, they should beware of external elements out to break the strong ties between the various races and religions under the guise of Human rights and democracy, he said.

-- BERNAMA