Place nation's interest above all to move forward

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 -- A country will not be able to move forward and be more advanced if its people do not place the interest of the country above personal and political agendas.

Principal fellow at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Ethnic Studies Prof Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong said the spirit of patriotism should be instilled in Malaysians especially the younger generation so that together they would move the country to greater heights.

"We are probably more independent in terms of nation building, security and economy which are getting better and showing improvement. But in terms of national identity, we are not yet fully independent.

"We do not think in the direction of benefiting the country. In fact, some of us do not know our national identity. We need the formation of a stronger national identity," he said.

He said this when appearing as one of the guests on the “Suara Profesor Negara” programme produced by Bernama TV and streamed live on its Facebook page today.

Teo said what was of greater importance was to foster the spirit of unity from an early age in the young generation through education to ensure racial unity prevailed forever in the country.

Meanwhile, Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Mohd Noor Merican said the identity of an independent country was not only based on freedom from the colonialists alone but how far the people would go to drive the country forwards.

“There are various groups in this country. There are those who care about the independent narrative, there are those who don't care, there are those who don’t care who become the leader and many more. All these will split us.

"That is why we are 'not yet independent'. We are separated in terms of identity and national spirit. The patriotic element among the people is still low," said the professor at IIUM's International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation.

Meanwhile, former Army Field Commander Lt-Gen (Rtd) Datuk Seri Zaini Mohd Said has expressed concern on how far the foundation of national unity can survive if the spirit of togetherness is not harmonised and enhanced from time to time.

-- BERNAMA