LETTER | Chinese new villages: Fear, hate simmer over Unesco heritage status

LETTER | The intent to secure a Unesco world heritage status for certain Chinese new villages in Selangor is simmering with political concoctions of fear and hate in Malaysia.

Some are drumming racial sentiments. Others claim that it goes against the constitutional rights of Malays.

One even espoused that it would “result in turmoil, which is detrimental to the nation” (Free Malaysia Today, Feb 17: Chinese New Villages have no cultural significance).

Why do we still keep running helter-skelter with fear-mongering and hate arrows when it comes to the non-Malays in the country?

Do we not see the precipitate value in capitalising on our multicultural history?

Can we not see that such Unesco declarations will put our nation on the world map of tourist attractions?

An attractive cultural cosmopolitan

Why do we blinker our minds to the fact that having more of these Unesco heritage declarations will harvest complimentary benefits to education and health tourism?

Foreign universities will be inspired to set up hubs here capitalising on the learning experiences in an environment that is a universally benchmarked cultural cosmopolitan.

We can gain lead advantages against other Asean countries in promoting health tourism given the “Truly Asian” experience that cultural heritage sites will offer.

Why do we even allow racist thoughts to stall such award-seeking attempts? Gaining Unesco recognition is a globally sought-after game.

After six decades of self-rule, we still want to promote living in self-denial.

How can a more than two-thirds majority Malay/bumiputera population be threatened by a fast dwindling non-Malay population given our current 37 million citizens?

In a global scene where archaeological findings, preserved traditions, and unique but forgotten or fading cultures are being rescued and preserved at great lengths to support tourism and ignite the spirit of nationhood and patriotism with pride, we are instead seeing kneejerk objections to declaring Chinese villages as Unesco heritage sites in Malaysia.

What truly then is going to be our destiny if we continue in such directions of racial and religiously fired animosity, hatred and fears?

When will we ever learn to capitalise and celebrate our differences as a nation of people?

Don’t we even want to adhere to and abide by the numerous calls made by our rulers?

Or have the powers that be decided that divisiveness will be the only political penchant?

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.