The below is a copy from the CCM (Council of Churches of Malaysia) website (http://www.ccmalaysia.org/reports). I know Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri for several years. We should read it carefully to understad what he really would like to indicate in this discussion.'(Lily)
Discussion on 2007 Merdeka Statement
By Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri Presentation
Let me begin by congratulating the Centre for Public Policy Studies (ASLI) for their timely initiative in drafting and today, launching the Merdeka Statement in commemoration of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary of Independence, bearing the title: “Towards 2020 - Working Together for a more united, competitive innovative and prosperous Malaysia.” Eight strategic thrusts were put forward to underscore a comprehensive new agenda for nation-building in the next 50 years of our country’s development.
How accurately does the Merdeka Statement reflect the sentiments and views of the wider Malaysian public? Allow me to make a few points, from an inter-faith perspective, upon reading the Statement.
1. It is good that in the preamble to the statement that mention is made that the country’s independence is a result of the collective effort of all the races, to break free from the shackles of colonialism. Nationhood as conceived at the point of our independence came as a result of a shared struggle undergirded by a vision of a nation of unity in diversity. The preamble further acknowledges that it is by virtue if the “social contract” entered upon and negotiated prior to Merdeka that united the people in a common resolve to nationhood.
Although the preamble does not spell out the “content” of that social contract, it assures that Malaysians hold a common mind on what is a historical fact.
In the light of recent pronouncements, we cannot be sure. What comes to the fore of public discourse today is that although the social contract is historically verifiable, how it is going to be interpreted 50 years on is negotiable. This is indeed worrying for the many diverse religious communities that make-up the Malaysian society. We share a history and yet that history can be distorted.
We can only look forward to the next 50 years in hope, when as Malaysians we remain convinced and steadfast that Malaysia at its independence was conceived as a “constitutional democracy” where the inalienable rights of every citizen are guaranteed under a constitution conceived to be the supreme law of the country. After 50 years, it is indeed sad when we are still talking about accommodating each other, when we should in fact be talking of harmony achieved and shared destiny which has become our birthright as citizens of Malaysia.
2. The current statement proposes that the current National Unity Advisory Panel, under the Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional, be transformed into an independent National Unity Commission. The basis for the proposal is to empower the said Commission “ to investigate complaints of racial, linguistic and religious discrimination both in Government and in the private sector”. Along with that proposal, the Statement further advocates the setting up of a National Research Institute on Ethnic Relations to booster inter-racial cooperation and mutual assistance. Both these proposals point to the dire and urgent need for effective dialogue between races and religions, conducted within the parameters of a “Truth and Reconciliation Committee”.
The MCCBCHST supports these proposals and the spirit in which it is conceived. For truth to surface, there must be a democratic safe space created, where the truth of any issue is able to surface. Those who wish to share their afflictions and grievances must be assured of impunity within the confines of such a committee.
Every religious tradition holds truth-telling as one of the highest virtues of spirituality. Political interests should never be allowed to interfere with truth-telling. Reconciliation and peace-building are equally important spiritual virtues in all religious traditions.
In his vision of Malaysia as a fully developed country by the year 2020, the former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad regards the challenge of establishing a fully moral and ethical society, whose citizens are strong in religious and spiritual values, as one of the nine strategic challenges facing the nation.
On a day like this, the diverse religious communities in Malaysia are prepared to declare that they seek to play their part in nurturing their religious adherents with the highest virtues of their respective faiths. Peace-building between religious communities is only possible when concerted efforts are made to harness the spiritual heritage to religions to bear upon nation building. To posit religious traditions against each other is dangerous and detrimental to nation building.
3. Thirdly, economic growth and prosperity as envisaged in the Merdeka Statement, implies spiritual direction. We surely do not want to foster prosperity at the expanse of corruption and moral decay.
Here again, religious traditions in a diverse Malaysia can play a positive role. Religious leaders have a very important role to play by promoting greater interaction between different religious communities. Rather than focusing on differences, religious leaders should find areas of concern, where we can work together based on universal values and common faith convictions.
One good example of such a possibility is the recent inter-religious seminar on the importance of “Water” in all religious traditions, and how we should work together in society to ensure that water is affordable to all and most especially to the poor. The most urgent need of the hour is the creation of more bridge-builders: men and women who are not only conscious of the aspirations of one’s own community but are also at the same time deeply sensitive to the apprehensions of each other.
4. Lastly, although the Merdeka Statement does not make any reference to inter-religious dialogue, I feel in many ways much that is proposed in the document presupposes religious communities fostering a more open and liberal view to living with others in a plural society like Malaysia. No one religion should dominate others and ascribe to itself a sense of superiority.
More spaces for inter-religious dialogue on social issues is most crucial if mutual understanding and national unity is to grow. It is good that the Statement makes mention of the “Rukun Negara”. In the elaboration of the five principles, mention is made that unity is to be strengthened and that a “liberal society” needs to be created, where, Malaysians not only look at their respective communal and religious traditions, but to the interests of all Malaysians within the framework of the Federal Constitution.
REV. DR. HERMEN SHASTRI
2nd August 2007
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