Setuju Untuk Bersetuju, Setuju Untuk Tidak Bersetuju | Shamsul Amri Baharuddin | TEDxUKM

Summary

In this reflection on national unity in Malaysia, the speaker emphasizes the importance of harmony amidst diversity. Drawing on over 30 years of research and experience, the speaker highlights how Malaysia's Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement helped address various differences through negotiation and mediation. The speaker discusses how the Malaysian people have successfully navigated disagreements through dialogue, maintaining peace through daily practices of cooperation. The message stresses that unity is not just a governmental responsibility but a collective effort, involving both the government and ordinary citizens in sustaining harmony across Malaysia's diverse communities.

Takeaways

• 😀 National unity in Malaysia is a continuous process of negotiation and understanding, not just a political goal.
• 😀 The importance of unity is demonstrated by Malaysia's ability to balance both agreement and disagreement in various areas of society.
• 😀 Historical agreements such as the Federation Constitution of 1957 and the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 highlight Malaysia's unique ability to reach consensus despite differences.
• 😀 Social cohesion in Malaysia faces challenges, including issues of class, education, language, regional differences, and generational divides.
• 😀 Unity is not only the responsibility of the government, but also requires active participation from the public to be truly effective.
• 😀 Malaysians have a tradition of resolving issues through negotiation and mediation, often outside formal channels, as seen in community events like weddings.
• 😀 Social deficits, such as unresolved issues or ongoing disagreements, require ongoing management to maintain unity.
• 😀 The role of citizens in maintaining unity is crucial—ordinary people often engage in efforts to resolve conflicts at the grassroots level.
• 😀 The importance of voluntary and collective efforts for unity is emphasized, with people from all sectors working together to overcome challenges.
• 😀 Malaysia’s approach to national unity, blending negotiation and mediation, could serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the speech?

The main topic of the speech is unity and social cohesion in Malaysia, with a discussion on the importance of managing disagreements and achieving integration. The speaker also compares Malaysia's approach to unity with that of Indonesia.

What does the speaker mean by 'unity' in Malaysia?

'Unity' in Malaysia refers to the process of agreeing to disagree and finding solutions to issues despite differences. The speaker highlights the country's ability to handle disagreements constructively through negotiation and communication.

What are the three key concepts related to unity in Malaysia, according to the speaker?

The three key concepts are 'perpaduan' (unity), 'kesepaduan' (solidarity), and 'penyatuan' (integration). These concepts are seen as stages or processes in the journey toward achieving national unity.

How does the speaker view Malaysia's approach to handling social issues?

The speaker views Malaysia's handling of social issues as a continuous process of managing and addressing 'deficits' or unresolved social issues, such as religion, class, language, and politics, through negotiation and dialogue.

What is the significance of Malaysia's Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 in terms of unity?

The Malaysia Constitution (1957) and the Malaysia Agreement (1963) are significant because they represent the formal agreements that incorporated various perspectives, both agreed and disagreed, into the country's foundational documents, thereby facilitating national unity despite diverse opinions.

How does the speaker illustrate the practical application of unity in Malaysia?

The speaker illustrates the practical application of unity by giving the example of how Malaysians engage in social and cultural activities, such as weddings, without needing government permission. This demonstrates the everyday practice of unity and mutual respect in communities.

What does the speaker mean by 'deficit social'?

Deficit social refers to unresolved social issues or disagreements that still exist within society, such as conflicts related to religion, class, language, and politics. These issues are seen as challenges that need ongoing attention and resolution.

What role does public participation play in achieving unity, according to the speaker?

Public participation is crucial for achieving unity. The speaker emphasizes that the involvement of ordinary people at the grassroots level, alongside government efforts, is essential for creating true social cohesion and national unity.

What are the two dimensions of unity that the speaker highlights?

The two dimensions of unity the speaker highlights are the role of government institutions and businesses in fostering unity, and the more important dimension of the participation of ordinary people in everyday acts of integration.

What is the significance of the National Unity Index mentioned in the speech?

The National Unity Index is significant as it measures and tracks the progress of unity and integration efforts in Malaysia. It is used to evaluate the effectiveness of policies and actions in promoting national cohesion.