JULY 25 — I am sick and tired of people labelling fellow Malaysians as “pendatang”.

Normally, this term which describes communities which have immigrated to a new country would not normally be regarded as a slur or derogatory. In the United States of America and the United Kingdom, despite the ongoing debates regarding immigration and immigrants in these countries, the contributions of immigrants have been recognised as what makes a nation greater. John F. Kennedy even described America as “a nation of immigrants.”

In Malaysia, it is sometimes used as a slur and pejorative to indicate superiority or dominance over another.

The thing is, aside from the Orang Asal who probably have the most rightful claim to being indigenous to this land we call home, everyone else is a pendatang from somewhere. Java, Malukas Islands, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Sumatera, China, India even Portugal!

You name a place in South-east Asia, and you can bet that somebody’s great granddad or grandmum came off a boat from there seeking to build a better life for themselves and their families in this land.

There is no part in our nation that has not been touched by our immigration experience. Even the Malay royalty can trace its early origins to a Hindu Sumatran prince, Parameswara, a refugee who fled war and persecution. I think he did well for himself, don’t you?

This country was and is being built on the efforts of its people, including migrant communities. Their contribution can be seen in every aspect of our lives.

It can be seen in politics, religion, business, law and education. Consider the fact that Islam is a migrant religion brought onto our shores by immigrants and traders from other countries.

Just as inbreeding is not a good idea as it will increase the likelihood of genetic disorders in a population, the melting pot of diversity which exists in Malaysian society today is what ensures that we learn, innovate and progress. Engagement and acceptance, rather than merely tolerance, are vital to the social diversity and pluralism which make Malaysia stronger and more prosperous.

It was acceptance of these values which made it possible for a boy whose father originally migrated from the south Indian state of Kerala, through hard work, commitment and sacrifice, to later become the fourth prime minister of Malaysia.

This has been the secret of Malaysia’s progress and success thus far. Acceptance of each other’s diversity amidst the bitter and dark lessons of the past.

The Sultan Abdul Samad building at night. This year marks the 57th year since the Federation of Malaya gained independence. — file pic

When more than a million people were given citizenship and embraced as members of a new nation back in 1957, it wasn’t to do them a favour, as some might like to think or frequently flog.

It was a clear recognition, foresight and vision by the founding fathers such as Tunku Abdul Rahman that the building of a country required more than its independence. It needed the best and the brightest, the hardworking and committed, the gathering of manpower and collected wisdom. It needed so much more than what was already available. Blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice from those who were already citizens in all but name. And so, this country was built on the promise of what we could be, what we could become if we came together.

To call them “pendatang” would not only dishonour and not recognise all those who through their sacrifice, hard work and lives came before us to build this country.

It would cast light on our ignorance and arrogance as well as lack of gratefulness, appreciation and understanding of the grand vision put forth by the women and men who founded this country.

This year marks the 57th year since the Federation of Malaya gained independence. Let’s spend the next month planning and speaking about the next 57 years of this great country. We must never forget that we are all made better and more prosperous if we all believe and work towards a shared destiny and future. Together.

At one point of time in our history, we were all pendatang. Yes, we were, but today, we are all Malaysians.

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.