KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — Just hours ahead of the controversial Red Shirts rally which was planned to counter the Chinese-dominated Bersih 4 last month, a video on YouTube addresses the issue of hak bersuara (the right to an opinion).

While many called for the banning of the rally which has now morphed to become two — Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu and Himpunan Maruah Melayu — this video by the folks behind the Are Malaysians Racist? video  last year has a simple message: We are all entitled to our opinions.

Naga DDB executive creative director Alvin Teoh said, “It’s not anti-Red Shirts. Everyone has a right to an opinion... just don’t be an ass about it. We can only move forward together.”

Advertising agency Naga DDB created this video for Malaysia Day and its simple message really hits home.

It is time we as Malaysians learn not to be afraid of different opinions. We don’t always have to agree and sure, it can get messy and not look “harmonious” but we have to start trusting that we will be okay in all the messy ugly beauty of a real relationship.

Happy Malaysia Day.

Malaysians should learn not to be afraid of different opinions to ensure peace and harmony. ― Reuters pic