This is my third stop after Kuantan and Kemamam in my three-day “Jelajah Raya di Pantai Timur” to Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan.

One objective of the Jelajah Raya is to underline the importance of unity, understanding, tolerance, goodwill and solidarity of the Malaysian population, regardless of race, religion and region, which is one of the ingredients of the formula to guarantee Malaysia’s success as a nation.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a national holiday and should be celebrated not only by all Muslims but also by non-Muslims in Malaysia to develop a Malaysian culture where the major religious and cultural festivals in Malaysia are also celebrated by all Malaysians, to transform our diversities of race, religion, culture and customs into an asset and strength in welding our diverse people into one national entity, instead of being a liability and weakness which breed suspicion, mistrust and hatred leading to grave problems of racial and religious polarisation.

Malaysia as an “instant Asia” should not just be a tourism slogan, but be the Malaysian creed and motto – which makes Malaysia different and better than all other nations. Read the rest of this entry »