Newly formed non-governmental organisation, Negara-ku People’s Movement (NKPM), organised a teh tarik session together with IKRAM Perak, SABM Perak, Perak Women for Women (PWW), Alaigal and LLG Ipoh on Friday, July 24 at Seri Malaysia Ipoh Hotel.
Zaid Kamaruddin, the chairman of the steering committee, shared the aspirations of the Negara-ku movement which, among others, include mobilising and empowering the people to resist all forms of intolerance, bigotry, hatred, extremism and violence. It strives to do this by alluding to the Federal Constitution as the Supreme Law of the Land, the Malaysia Agreement and the Rukunegara as guides for national objectives and values. The session ensued with a passionate yet fruitful open-floor discussion among the 40-odd participants present.
Attended by people of multiple ethnicities and ages, the teh tarik session contributed to the setting up of Negara-ku action groups all over Malaysia with the objectives of promoting unity and action against division.
Ipoh Echo spoke to one of the steering committee members, Haris Ibrahim. “My hope is people who came here today will take ownership of Negara-ku, in its true sense. Negara-ku does not belong to us. We start this movement for people to come on board and take ownership of it,” he declared.
“I love my people. I have 28 million children in this country. They’re all my children because we are all anak bangsa Malaysia. We’re all equal. So that’s it,” such was his affirmative reply when asked what motivated him to take on the challenge.
“I feel it’s a good initiative bearing in mind the present situation in the country which can easily get out of control. Attitude towards racial harmony is found wanting. And religious intolerance is on the rise which is making many Malaysians uncomfortable. This initiative may look small but it’s definitely a step in the right direction,” said Rani, an attendee at the end of the inspiring 3-hour session.
The formation of civil society movements like Negara-ku, at this juncture, is most appropriate to help reclaim the glory of Malaysia.
Mei Kuan
