Don’t Let Identity Politics Destroy Malaysia’s Aspirations: Amirudin

SHAH ALAM: Growing identity politics and prejudice will only undermine efforts to build a united Malaysia.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said differences in identity within society, including religion, social groups and generations, should not be amplified to the point of creating suspicion and undermining national unity.

He said Malaysia was built on diversity, and differences do not necessarily lead to division if they are managed fairly, maturely and with mutual respect.

“One of the challenges we must do our utmost to overcome is the growing sense of suspicion and prejudice.

“These will only undermine our aspirations to build a united Malaysia,” he said in his speech at the Bicara Perdana programme held in conjunction with Malaysia Day 2026 at Dewan Al Jazari, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Polytechnic here on Tuesday.

Amirudin said the current political landscape also showed a growing tendency to raise identity-related issues, which are no longer confined to politics but have permeated various fields and sectors.

He said differences in religious, group and generational identities were inevitable in a multicultural country such as Malaysia.

“Identity has already permeated various areas. There are religious, group and generational identities.

“There will certainly be differences and diversity, but if those differences continue to be magnified or emphasised without sufficient understanding, they will become a challenge for us,” he said.

Amirudin also said every generation must be willing to understand one another to ensure that differences do not become a source of division.

He said the younger generation needs to understand the experiences of previous generations, while older generations must also embrace the changes and perspectives of the younger generation.

“The younger generation needs to understand the generations that came before them, but the older generations must also recognise the understanding and changes of the new generation,” he said.

According to Amirudin, efforts to build a confident and united nation remain unfinished, as nation-building is a continuous process that must be renewed with each generation.

Sinar Harian