PEOPLE can’t conceal their excitement talking about the KL 2017 Sea Games. I am glad that this event allows me to see unity and harmony among Malaysians.
So much has happened since the beginning of the year, but with this event, we are coming together for a common purpose: to see our national contingent getting as many medals as they can, to hear our national anthem sung, and to see our athletes’ hard work pay off.
Each time news about the games is posted, I’m driven to read the comments and replies on Facebook and Twitter.
Malaysians have beautiful things to say about our athletes.
I came across a comment by a Netizen on the photo of our netball team: “I’m sorry, I don’t see Malays, Chinese or Indians, I can only see Malaysians here.”
That simple comment touched me.
Some of us, fortunately, see us as Malaysians first. They focus on the similarities rather than the differences.
There are people who care about “us” and care what we have.
If there are comments that insult our athletes, Malaysians will defend them.
This reminds me of the 2016 Olympic badminton semifinals match between Datuk Lee Chong Wei and China’s Lin Dan.
I was in my hometown at that time, and my family and I were about to go home after doing shopping.
In front of the mall was a mamak restaurant, which was packed to the brim with people even standing by the roadside. They were engrossed in watching the match on a large-screen television there.
People were supporting and sharing hopes with each other to see our player make it to the final.
Every time someone came out of the mall and asked about the score, there were people who would tell them the score and gave them space to watch the match.
Each time Lee scored a point, we would cheer as if he had won.
By the time he beat Lin, people were cheering as loud as they could.
It was a beautiful sight.
How do we maintain this spirit among Malaysians and not only during sporting events?
How do we keep this “togetherness” without having to wait for a sports event to make it happen?
The amazing thing about sports in unifying the nation is that it does not require words to be uttered. It is all shown through our actions.
In sports, we see Malaysians fighting for the country, representing the country and fulfilling the dream of every citizen.
I always hope that we can see how beautiful we are. We are different for so many things, but we are all the same for so many reasons.
We need to hold on to our values, the differences in our race and religion, yet stand tall as Malaysians.
I’m glad that this Sea Games is happening in this special month where we are closer to National Day.
It’s the right time to boost our patriotism. The timing could not have been better.
The energy is shared from one Malaysian to another irrespective of race, creed and political view. It’s beautiful.
Happy 60th National Day. Well done, Malaysians. We are doing good, let’s do better.
UMMI FATIHAH,
Seremban, Negri Sembilan.