Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Concerned Malaysians speak up for peace and unity

A press statement endorsed by Malaysians of all walks of life.

Photo credit to Chelsia Ng

We the undersigned are concerned Malaysians from various communities that have always respected one another since well before independence. Our Malaysia was founded on this diversity and our hopes for the future, as envisioned in Wawasan 2020, are built on this mosaic of races, cultures and religions, which have enriched one another since the time of our forebears. In the aftermath of the 13th General Elections, we have been saddened by the racial tone of statements made by some of our political leaders as well as some media and blogs. The election results may not have pleased everyone but precisely for this reason, we need to unite and heal our rifts, rather than create more divisiveness. For the past few years the citizens of Malaysia have been exhorted to show their support or not for the government in power through the ballot box rather than through other means. This they did on May 5, yet some of them have been called ungrateful for peacefully exercising their democratic right to express their opinion. They all voted for a better Malaysia and should not be blamed if their vision differs from what the government thinks it should be. For politicians and the media to fault one community for their results goes against the spirit of our founding fathers, our Rukunegara, Wawasan 2020 and 1Malaysia. Pitting one community against other Malaysians because they allegedly rejected the government in power sets up dangerous divisions within our society and markedly raises the threat of violence. All parties have agreed that change is needed in our beloved country, whether it is called 'transformation' or 'ubah'. Changes in mindsets and attitudes are much needed for us to take our place in the globalised world today. This change must be achieved through peaceful means, including through the ballot box. It is therefore disappointing that the same old fear tactics are being used with the implicit threat of violence. It is the democratic right of all Malaysians to lodge any objections to the election results due to concerns about fraud or mismanagement. However, this should be done by individuals or civil society groups submitting such objections to the Election Commission or through the court system, rather than by dissemination of unverified and unsubstantiated information through social media. We agree with the need for national reconciliation and, therefore, call on all politicians, the media and activists to exercise restraint in their words and actions and work for change through peaceful means. After a fractious election campaign, we need more than ever to heal our wounds and unite to make a better Malaysia. ***** This statement is endorsed by: 1. Alan Bligh, emcee & voice-over talent 2. Alan Yun, actor

3. Aishah Sinclair, Actor & TV host 4. Amir Muhammad, book publisher 5. Art Harun, lawyer 6. Asha Gill, TV & radio host 7. Azah Yasmin Yusof, TV host & counselor 8. Carmen Soo, actor 9. Celina Khor, TV host & entrepreneur 10. Christopher Tock, social entrepreneur 11. Datin Azimah Rahim, education activist 12. Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, writer & activist 13. Datin Sofia Jane, actor 14. Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria, PROHAM committee member 15. Datuk Bernard Chandran, couturier 16. Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng, PROHAM treasurer 17. Datuk Khutubul Zaman Bukhari, PROHAM member 18. Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, dancer & choreographer 19. Datuk Yasmin Yusuff, emcee & actor 20. Deborah Henry, Miss Universe Malaysia 2011 21. Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman, medical specialist 22. Dr Azmi Sharom, academic 23. Dr Daniel Ho, pastor 24. Dr Farish Noor, academic & writer

25. Dr Hartini Zainuddin, childrens rights activist 26. Dr Ong Puay Liu, academic 27. Dr Zaha Rina Zahari, financial consultant 28. Elaine Daly, TV host (Miss Universe Malaysia 2003) 29. Harith Iskander, actor & comedian 30. Hans Isaac, actor 31. Ida Nerina, actor & director 32. KJ John, OHMSI 33. Jema Khan, businessman 34. Jonson Chong, educator & activist 35. Joyce Wong, blogger 36. Jules Tang, TV & radio personality 37. Kartini Kamalul Ariffin, TV host 38. Khoo Kay Peng, political analyst 39. Kuah Jenhan, actor & comedian 40. Lina Tan, TV executive producer 41. Lina Teoh, TV personality 42. Low Ngai Yuen, TV host & arts entrepreneur 43. Maya Karin, actor 44. Niki Cheong, digital culture commentator 45. Norhayati Kaprawi, womens rights activist & documentary maker 46. Pete Teo, musician & filmmaker

47. Prof Emeritus Shad Saleem Faruqi, academic 48. Puan Sri Elizabeth Moggie 49. Rafidah Abdullah, TV host & screenwriter 50. Ravindran Navaratnam, TIE Malaysia 51. Sazzy Falak, actor & entrepreneur 52. Serena Choong, radio & TV host 53. Shanthini Venugopal, performing arts practitioner 54. Sharifah Zuriah Aljeffri, artist 55. Sonny San, fashion consultant 56. Sue Quek, development practitioner 57. Tan Sri Dato Dr. Michael Yeoh, ASLI 58. Tan Sri Datuk Yong Poh Kon 59. Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, businessman 60. Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, CPPS 61. Tunku Abidin Muhriz, IDEAS 62. Toh Puan Dr. Aishah Ong, welfare activist 63. Vanidah Imran, actor 64. Will Quah, emcee 65. Zainah Anwar, womens rights activist 66. Zain HD, RandomAlphabets 67. Zhariff Affandi, social entrepreneur In addition:

Come Saturday (May 11), participatory arts group RandomAlphabets (RA) is hosting Malaysians to join their brothers and sisters at #SayaMahuPicnic at Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur from 9am to 11am. #SayaMahuPicnic is a picnic event organised to bring together Malaysians who stand for unity, peace and diversity, as well as to reject polarising sentiments that have been circulating through some media institutions. All Malaysians are encouraged to show up in white, red, blue or yellow the colours that make up our national flag, Jalur Gemilang. More information on the event at www.RandomAlphabets.com.