KUALA LUMPUR: As the world continues down the path of globalisation, it is important for Malaysians to retain their identity amid efforts to unite the multi-racial and multi-religious community in the country.

Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) fellow Datuk Dr Madeline Berma said in line with the phrase ‘unity in diversity’, every citizen in the country needs to retain their cultural identity and not be forced to practice other cultures.

“We need something that we call ‘rojak’, although the word is always associated with something negative but now with a globalised environment, where everybody has almost lost their identity, there is a need for us to retain that identity because it is very precious.

“For me, each and every one of us need to retain the culture. Malays with their culture, Ibans with their culture and no coercion for Malays to be Chinese or otherwise, all in the name of Malaysia. What we need to retain is us as Malaysians. Unity in diversity,” she said.

She said this during a Communication and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) programme with its Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah that was broadcast live on the KKMM’s Facebook, TV1 RTM and Bernama TV last night.

Meanwhile, Dr Madeline said although efforts to moderate the digital community or netizens are challenging, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were virtues exhibited by Malaysians, including the widespread sharing in channelling aid to those in need.

She said this would indirectly lead to a form of unity that should be encouraged in the country.

“If previously we were limited by our physical boundary, now with the blink of an eye, when an incident happens, whether we know where they are from, we will help.

“In this COVID-19 era, many lack food, so people don’t need to depend on the government (to provide aid). In a way, on one hand it creates challenges, on the other, it fosters unity that I feel we should encourage and we should not be afraid,” she said.

On Feb 15, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin launched the National Unity Policy which is inclusive, clear and cohesive to ensure Malaysia remains a united country.

With the concept of Unity in Diversity, the policy sets out several long-term strategies in a continuous effort to encourage, strengthen and preserve unity among Malaysians.

-- BERNAMA