JULY 4 ― By Vision 2020, Malaysia was to be “a united nation, with a confident Malaysian society, infused by strong moral and ethical values, living in a society that is democratic, liberal and tolerant, caring, economically just and equitable, progressive and prosperous, and in full possession of an economy that is competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient.”
According to the articulator and proponent of the Vision ― Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad ― there could not be a fully developed Malaysia until the nine central strategic challenges that had confronted the nation since its birth were overcome.
Dr Mahathir said:
“The first of these is the challenge of establishing a united Malaysian nation with a sense of common and shared destiny. This must be a nation at peace with itself, territorially, and ethnically integrated, living in harmony and full and fair partnership, made up of one “Bangsa Malaysia” with political loyalty and dedication to the nation.
“The second is the challenge of creating a psychologically liberated, secure, and developed Malaysian Society with faith and confidence in itself, justifiably proud of what it is, of what it has accomplished, robust enough to face all manner of adversity. This Malaysian Society must be distinguished by the pursuit of excellence, fully aware of all its potentials, psychologically subservient to none, and respected by the peoples of other nations.”
A “Bangsa Malaysia” was envisioned in 2020 ― one whose political loyalty and dedication would be to the nation and whose distinction would be the pursuit of excellence!
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
