Whether we realize it or not, we are on the fast track to becoming a generation of cynics. We confuse lack of empathy with individuality. We choose abandon the spirit of muhibbah and neighbourly practices in our quest for personal enhancements.  Much to our dismay, we are paying a higher premium for this fashionable solitude than we realize. Decades ago, it was this kind of apathy that stressed relations between us to breaking point. We do not revisit to point fingers or to play the blame game; we look back simply because in the midst of all the turmoil and the unrest, there is surely something to be learned.

The Rukunegara was conceptualized in 1970 and most of us know the principles by heart: to believe in God, to stand loyal by King and Country, to uphold the constitution, to uphold the law and to have a distinct moral and ethical compass. It set out to maintain a democratic way of life, to create a just society with equitable sharing of prosperity, to ensure a liberal approach to our rich and diverse cultural traditions, to build a progressive society driven by science & innovation and to achieve greater unity between us all.  Vision 2020 from 1991 was unleashed with similar goals in mind. Among others, it set out to ensure an economically just society, to establish a liberal and tolerant society and to establish a united Malaysia with a sense of common and shared destiny. 2009’s 1Malaysia was more streamlined, but with emphasis on ethnic harmony and national unity.

Probably by now we can see a common underlying theme behind all these drives; harmony and unity. So much emphasis on these two in nearly half a century of nation-building. What makes harmony and unity so important in the context of country-raising? It is simply the fact that harmony is the foundation on what we lay everything else on.

Harmony is the critical factor and is probably the key to whether Malaysia will become a fully developed nation by the year 2050. The youth needs to be prepared to play their role in building a society that is steeped in noble values, knowledge and with a sense of self-worth. Respecting each other, irrespective of social status, cultural background, religion and race is an integral ingredient towards a society rooted in unity and understanding.

As young people, even more responsibility falls on us to do the right thing and steer the ship into the right direction, into the future. Youthquaking proves that significant change, may it be social, cultural or political, arises directly from the actions or influence of young people. This is only possible if we, as the young people responsible for change, are properly informed and have the right state of mind. Educators can help via the eradication of racial polarization among students at every level by implementing activities that encourage them to interact with each other helps foster the unified bangsa Malaysia spirit. The spirit of patriotism must always be cultivated and nurtured and we must continue to strengthen racial harmony and religious tolerance at every level.  All activities must be geared towards uniting the people which is the best recipe for nation-building towards the objectives of TN50.