It’s not long until the 14th General Election in Malaysia takes place and tensions are running high among the citizens and politicians from both sides. Flags and campaign materials can be seen everywhere but a different kind of banner stood out recently on social media.
Source: The Star
Sinchew reported that a banner measuring 1.5m x 2.7m encouraging Malaysians to still be neighbourly and care for one another was spotted in Shah Alam. Although it doesn’t look very sophisticated, the banner gets its simple yet heartwarming message across.
It reads, “Regardless of our political beliefs, we shouldn’t let it be a reason for us to not greet each other and be enemies. We are all from one community. Maintain consensus. This is a democratic country. Sincerely from Persatuan Komuniti 19/3 and KRT 19/3.”
Source: Facebook
The white banner, which featured the three opposing political coalition logos, has been circulating on social media this past week. Netizens felt that it was a good reminder for Malaysians not to have strained relations over the “mother of all elections”.
As for the man behind it, all he wanted to do was make sure the goodwill and neighbourly relations in his area would not be affected. The Malay Mail managed to find the person responsible for it and interviewed him. Azmi Sambah, who is a factory worker, said that he was motivated to hang up the banner after observing the intense political action taking place.
Source: Malay Mail
Azmi, who is also the head of the apartment blocks 6-9’s joint management body said, “Regardless of whichever political party we support, the goodwill and respect among each other must be maintained. Neighbours you meet everyday, the first person you see when you open your door. When you are sick, neighbours are the ones helping out, not your leaders.”
He said that political parties should practise the spirit of muhibbah in their speeches and not pitch one race against another in their campaigns. We’re all Malaysians! The banner, which cost RM30, is currently the only one around at the moment as Azmi said that there was a lack of capital.
He had paid for the banner first but was later reimbursed from the apartment committee treasury and was pleased to find out that his banner had gone viral as he felt that good things must be shared. Other Malaysians who lived around the area also agreed on the sentiments of the message and said that it was a true representation of our Malaysian spirit.
In the end, we are all Malaysians who should help and care for one another!
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