By Satwant Singh

I recently lost my dog in Ipoh for a few days but what touched many of my family members was the assistance by strangers from all walks of life.

Found five days later, the incident made me realise that despite our differences, most Malaysians are a helpful lot no matter their ethnicity or religious background.

With over 65 years of independence and despite common sense prevailing often, we have had off and on hurtful statements that incite hatred. All Malaysians must abhor such statements.

We must also realise that we can’t live in isolation or within the boundary of our own race or religion.

There appears to be a trend of the youth sticking to their own race or religion whether in schools or when they engage in activities.

Parents and educational institutions should instil elements of unity and appreciation of diversity if we want to see our country progress.

Embracing diversity should be a thrust of primary and secondary education to plant the seeds of living and thinking as Malaysians.

But to achieve this, a big task awaits the newly minted Education Minister – making national schools attractive to all.

We must think as Malaysians and this will not make anyone less Malay, Chinese or Indian.

The young minds need to be moulded to appreciate diversity and living together as Malaysians. At the same time, stereotyping should be shredded.

After years of talking about unity, we must find a common ground that transcends race and religion.

We can start by upholding the Rukun Negara – a common and national philosophy that can bind us all.

The writer is an academician with a local private university and ex-journalist who believes that Malaysians should look for common grounds that bind them rather than the differences that set them apart.