Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Last week, the campus was shocked to know about a trespass in a house of worship. This Muslims house of worship which happens to be in Kolej Kediaman Kedua had been a canvas to a certain individual/group that yet to be defined. A week of investigation failed to put anyone to face any punishment. The case is said to have reach to Bukit Aman for further investigation.

Certain groups have expressed disappointment over what has happened. Certain groups remain quiet. Whatever their stand is, the blame game starts, and finger starts pointing without hard evidence. Prejudices among races deepen, the Malay see Indians as a nuisance, and Indians will say that there are conspiracies behind this event. Certain groups were named to be the culprit behind this mockery.

Everyone wants to know who the culprit was. Or culprits, if there was a group who wants to see imbalance in the college. This event has created a tense mood in the whole campus. The panicking and anger maneuvered us away from the most important task at hand that is; preserving unity.

UNITY IS AN IMPORTANT TASK

Malaysia is very unique in terms of racial variations. In terms of integration too, we enjoyed other race’s celebration. Chinese New Year for example is a great way to socialize between races and built strong foundation against hatred and prejudice among races. Preserving unity is about celebrating differences and embracing similarities. As human beings, we have al those similar feelings. Joy and sorrow, is a part of life.

On the 28^th of January, Pro-Mahasiswa delegates were found distributing oranges in Science Faculty’s café and also around Faculty of Engineering. The objective was to show to the students how important integration and unity is. The delegates were multi-racial, create an ease among those who receives oranges and posters. On the 30^th of January, the delegates were found in the Faculty of Business and Accountancy and Faculty of Medicine. Even one day after the event, Pro-Mahasiswa continued to show that we as a student of this campus have to start the effort of bringing the gap closer together.

Pro-Mahasiswa delegates were shocked to see the response. Generally, the students are well aware of a celebration around the corner, and they also extend celebration wishes to Pro-Mahasiswa delegates. This shows that somehow, deep inside us, there are racial integration and unity and its utmost importance. This shows that we can be like friends and families to celebrate an important event to the Chinese.

MR. HOONG KIAT IS DISTRIBUTING FLIERS AND ORANGES

FLIERS DISTRIBUTED TO UM STUDENTS

Mr. Hoong Kiat, Pro-Mahasiswa speaker for the Chinese, said that,

“This activity is a great way to create an everlasting bonding between races. The Chinese was pleased to see that there are Malays and Indians who also participated in celebrating Chinese New Year”.

He then added that it is now time to engage in tolerance and create understanding among races. He also put up a guideline that there are certain things that should be tolerated, but a mockery of a house of worship is definitely not one of it. “Maybe we should put more effort in understanding rather than blind tolerance” and told that ‘terms’ are sometimes dangerous and should be used appropriately.

Now, the ball is in our court. It is up to each and every one of us to play our individual role in promoting unity and racial integration in the campus. The future of the country depended strongly to us, the future generation leaders.

May this ‘Year of the Rat’ bring prosperity, joyful spirit, abundance grace, healthy body, warm love and peaceful mind. Happy Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!