It's still a blessed land, say relatives of founding fathers

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's founding fathers would have been surprised at the "conscious" energy levels of middle-class Malaysians today.

This was revealed by a descendant of the founding fathers at a forum organised by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) yesterday. Others spoke on the current fragility of racial issues.

The speakers at the forum yesterday were the sons, daughters and great-grandchildren of the country's first prime minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, and of Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tun V.T. Sambanthan, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun Fuad Stephens Jugah.

They agreed that despite this, Malaysia was a blessed land.

Tarmizi Tun Dr Ismail said: "We hear a lot of noise now, but it is a great country. It has the 'conscious' energy of middle Malaysians. I think the founding fathers would not be overly disappointed with the country. This is still a great place."

Datin Manjalara Husin Tunku Abdul Rahman said if her father had been alive today, he would have advised Malaysians to be content with what they had and not be consumed by greed.

"He would also have advised Malaysians to compromise. He always used that word and advised people to compromise in family relationships, working environment and neighbourhoods."

Asked what Malaysia meant to her, Manjalara said she was made to realise her race only after she came back from overseas at the age of 22.

"I carried the Malaysian identity when I grew up overseas and only knew of the racial divisions when I came back."

The descendants agreed that racial issues during their time were not as fragile as they were today. They reminisced over the good times they had before the 1969 racial riots.

"Before 1969, we were blissfully unaware of race. We carried tupperwares to each other's houses and shared food on one plate," said Deva Kunjari Tun Sambanthan.

Tun Tan Cheng Lock's great grandchildren, Ng Ming Shern and Ng Yan Mei, said there was always room for the country to progress. They hoped Malaysians would discuss issues rather than make public demands.

Ideas founding president Tunku Zain Al Abidin Muhriz said this was the first time the descendants of the founding fathers had gathered to talk about the country's history and its founding fathers.

"We decided to have them all together to celebrate the legacy of our forefathers on Malaysia Day."