MAY 24 ― The Europeans are quirky people. Although the continent accommodates dozens of countries, languages, religions and cultures, they have been able to stand together ― at least for the last two decades ― as a single supra-national entity that leverages their influence enormously: the European Union.
Now, anyone who is familiar with European history would be able to tell you that the most salient characteristic of the continent is war. So prevalent has conflict been in the region that the last few decades can only be described as an anomaly in its long and chequered history. In fact, the two world wars had both originated on European soil.
Despite the brutality, Europe has also been home to incredible technological progress. Even as the European nation-states engaged in territorial wars for political hegemony and economic resources, so too did they partake in the exchange of ideas, technology and trade. Somehow, despite all the mistrust and conflicting interests, there was always somehow a form of unity, identity and solidarity in being European.
However, it took the death of 25 million people and the total devastation of a dozen countries before the Europeans finally realised that they could achieve more through peace and unity, rather than fighting each other. In 1992, the war-torn continent finally set aside its differences and signed the Treaty of Maastricht, which eventually led to the formation of what we know today as the European Union.
As a student of political science, I find it fascinating to see how so many states, religions and cultures with such a long history of mutual brutality were able to choose friendship over hatred and unity over dissent. The decision to come together has paid off, of course. Today, the EU has the highest GDP in the world and wields considerable influence in the international stage.
However, even peace and prosperity does not appear to satisfy everyone. In recent times, fissures have opened up all over the continent as a result of economic malaise, high unemployment, and immigration-related issues. In Britain, nationalists have started to attack the open immigration laws while singing about the imperial days of yore and promising the public that Britain could have a “great future outside the EU, somewhere else.” But where else exactly, they do not say.
Underneath the jingoistic rhetoric, the so-called “Brexit” campaign is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. In contrast, the “remain” campaign makes a more compelling argument. A European future for Britain is not merely wishful idealism, but a fact that cannot be ignored. After all, nearly 60 per cent of Britain’s trade is with its European partners, besides endless co-operation on environmental issues, prosecution of criminals and not to mention scientific exchange. Even more importantly, a European exit for Britain could potentially set in motion greater repercussions that will eventually shatter the great European dream of peace and prosperity.
Come what may, on June 23, 2016, the UK will conduct a referendum, in which all its citizens will get to choose between the European dream, or revert into the European nightmare.
Are we friends with our fellow Malaysians?
The recently-concluded Sarawak state election may have been unfortunate for the opposition, but I believe it has been even more disastrous for Peninsular Malaysia. The amount of racist statements, both of the Bumi-phobic or Chinese-phobic variety, that spewed out following the outcome of the election has been mind-numbing, to say the least. Ever since our prime minister’s infamous “Apa lagi Cina mahu” remarks after GE13, it appears that every electoral disappointment has to be blamed on one race or another.
It is even more disappointing when so-called supporters of multi-racial unity exposed themselves as closet racists or at best, destructive state nationalists. As much as I was frustrated by the results of the election, I was even more upset to see the ugly rift emerging between Malaysians from Semenanjung and Sarawakians.
This made me question whether our identity as Malaysians means anything more than the territorial boundaries that demarcate our sovereignty. Would we even be together were it not for the borders of our nation-state?
It was indeed sad to see fellow Malaysians so divided. On the one hand, Sarawakians insisted that folks from Semenanjung did not understand them, while the latter exhibited paternalism, and treated Sarawakians as if they did not know better.
Such division would only lead to a vicious cycle. After all, divide and conquer has been the tried and tested strategy of those who are intent on maintaining their stranglehold on power. Instead of blaming one another, I think it is far more important that we accept the result as a wake-up call and to reflect on what being Malaysian truly means.
In my opinion, one of the key lessons from Sarawak is that we focused too much on racial unity, but forgot about unity between the states that make up our country. If the behemoth called the European Union is able to see through their multitude of differences, overcome the bitterness of their history and coalesce into one a major power in the world, there is no reason why we can’t look past our petty political differences.
Put aside our cultural and provincial differences and begin to understand one another. Put aside our political differences, and be true fellow Malaysians saluting the same flag, reciting the same Rukunegara and singing the same Negaraku. Despite all the mistrust and clashing interests, the people’s real strength comes from peace and unity. However, to achieve peace and unity, we have to bond over friendship and share the same universal values of openness, freedom and democracy, love for our motherland and the dream of achieving the real Malaysia for all Malaysians. Bersekutu bertambah mutu.
Of course, the same lesson applies to our opposition coalition.
* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
