Hi, I am Dato Dr. Ilango Karuppannan, a retired ambassador, and today I want to address a topic that is critical to the long-term survival of our country. Over my three decades as a diplomat, I had the privilege of representing Malaysia abroad, while also observing our nation from an external perspective. Now, I see a growing threat to our country’s future—identity politics driven by race and religion.

The Problem: Escalating Identity Politics

Recently, we have seen identity politics spiral out of control in Malaysia. Whether it’s the Bak Kut Teh issue, controversies over Chinese new villages, vernacular schools, or even the recent socks saga, these events are being weaponized to stoke racial tensions and polarization.

We must be vigilant. History teaches us that even stable and prosperous countries can disintegrate into chaos if they succumb to damaging identity politics. It’s time we pause and reflect. What may seem like good politics for some could jeopardize the national interest and threaten the survival of our nation.

Malaysia: A Ship We All Share

Think of Malaysia as a ship. All of us—no matter our race, religion, or social standing—are traveling on it. On a ship, you don’t drill holes in the hull or start fights. If the ship sinks, we all go down with it. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the T20 or B40 deck, in the Bumiputra, Chinese, Indian, or Iban compartment, Muslim or non-Muslim—we all sink.

The only way to ensure our survival is through cooperation. The same principle applies to our country. If Malaysia falters, everything else—jobs, development, and prosperity—becomes meaningless. Therefore, protecting the survival of the country is not just a governmental duty; it’s the responsibility of every Malaysian.

National Interest: A Responsibility for All

Many assume that safeguarding national interest is the sole job of the government and the foreign ministry, who are responsible for defending our territory and sovereignty. However, there’s another critical aspect of national interest that involves you—the public.

A positive perception of Malaysia by the international community is vital for attracting foreign investments and ensuring our voice is taken seriously in global affairs. Stability at home is key to maintaining a favorable international image. When the world sees that we can manage our domestic politics effectively, they will view us as a stable and attractive destination for investments.

Can you think of any country that is unstable and chaotic, yet still able to thrive and attract foreign investments? Neither can I.

International Perception Matters

The international community—the collection of countries, organizations like the UN, World Bank, and multinational corporations—forms its opinion of us over time. This perception can make or break our economy. From the 1970s through the early 2000s, Malaysia was seen as a model for multiracial harmony and political stability. We were perceived as low-risk, and because of that, investments poured in. Our country flourished.

As a young diplomat in the 1990s, I witnessed firsthand how African leaders looked to Malaysia as a role model, eager to learn our secret. That secret wasn’t just about economic policies—it was about racial and religious harmony. I heard this sentiment echoed everywhere I was posted—from Europe to the Middle East to the United States. Malaysia’s success story was built on unity.

Where Are We Now?

I retired in 2020, the year Malaysia was supposed to reach developed nation status. Sadly, we missed that target. More worrying is that we seem stuck in the Middle-Income Trap, struggling to advance to the next stage of development. At this juncture, I’m deeply concerned about how the international community views us.

International perception is fickle; it can change overnight. If we continue down the path of racial tensions, we risk losing our appeal to foreign investors. Even domestic companies may decide to relocate their businesses elsewhere.

Take the recent sock issue. While I understand the anger of the Muslim community, turning it into a political issue only harms Malaysia’s image globally. The Washington Post, one of America’s most influential newspapers, has already noted rising racial tensions in Malaysia. This negative perception can deter foreign investment and damage our standing in the international community.

Learning from History

In the early years after independence, many parts of Malaysia lacked basic infrastructure like electricity and piped water. But we learned the right lesson from the 1969 riots: racial harmony is the key to progress. It was this unity that propelled Malaysia forward and earned us international respect.

Today, I fear we are losing sight of that lesson. As a former diplomat, I have seen how countries can be torn apart when race and religion are used to sow hatred and division. We are at a crossroads. To save Malaysia from self-destruction, we must forge a New Consensus—one based on multiracial harmony.

A Call for a New Consensus

As I’ve outlined, racial harmony is crucial to Malaysia’s survival. It is in our national interest to maintain this harmony. Before taking any action, we must ask ourselves: Will this unite us, or divide us? If the answer is the latter, we must stop and reconsider our approach.

Instead of fueling division, can we turn issues into opportunities to foster understanding and cooperation?

Conclusion: The Way Forward

In summary:

1. Multiracial harmony is essential to Malaysia’s survival.
2. It is a core national interest, as it creates a positive image globally, attracting investments and fostering progress.
3. A favorable perception of Malaysia gives us respectability in international affairs.
4. Protecting harmony should be our guiding compass in all actions.
5. Every Malaysian has a role to play in safeguarding this national interest.
6. Before acting, filter your decisions through the lens of national interest: will it promote unity or division?

Let’s not carelessly push our country toward self-destruction for short-term political gains. We are entering an uncertain future, and we need all the resilience we can muster.

I encourage everyone to reflect on how you can contribute to protecting Malaysia’s national interest. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s start a conversation about this New Consensus to build a better future for Malaysia.