Whenever we are faced with a crisis, we should always go back to the basics. So in the case of the statement made by the Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Kadir Sheikh Fadzir questioning the patriotism of Chinese Malaysians, we should analyse the situation at its roots.

During the British colonial times, Chinese and Indians were brought in to develop the tin mines and plantations. After many years in this country, our forefathers decided to make it their home.

Through their hard work, small townships were started and new generations of Chinese and Indians continued to develop them into the big cities we have today. Their achievement did not happen overnight. In fact, even after Independence, our forefathers kept contributing to the progress of the nation through trade and business.

I belong to the fourth generation of Chinese, born and bred in this country, and although I do not display the national flag in my house or car, or wave it fervently during politically sponsored events, I sincerely love my country in my own special way.

Therefore, I find the words of the Kadir to be racially motivated and disgustingly insulting. For a minister in charge of culture, he certainly does not have any idea about the richness of the various cultures in our country. He should at least understand that different communities express their thoughts in their own unique way.

The Chinese community has been loyal to the country for years despite the odds working against them. In the field of education, we have been sidelined by a system that practises an unfavourable quota system, now replaced by a dubious meritocracy system.

Through unjust policies, the government has never given any real reason for the Chinese to love Malaysia, let alone be patriotic. In the field of economy, business opportunities and government contracts have been put o­n a silver dish to be served those who do not deserve it.

So should the Chinese community be patriotic to Malaysia in the first place? Judging from all the odds against us, the answer would presumably be no.

And yet, the community takes everything in its stride and continues to live peacefully with everyone, working hard for its own future and that of their country.

True patriotism comes from the heart and it should not be forced upon anyone. Waving the flag and raising it in our homes and cars do not make us more patriotic. In fact, outward displays of symbols are seen as a sign of arrogance and narcissism.

We do not have to sail around the world alone in a yacht and face treacherous mast-breaking waves to call ourselves patriots. We do not have to expose ourselves to extreme cold temperatures and hypoxia to reach the peak of Mount Everest before we can call ourselves patriots. We do not have to parachute down at the North Pole with a Malaysian flag hanging from our backs, or take a cruise down to the Antarctic to watch penguins, before we can label ourselves as patriots.

These are dangerous, expensive and time-consuming exploits, which do not bring any tangible results or contribute effectively to the country's progress. Somehow I cannot visualise how these achievements can help to boost and sustain the nation's economy, let alone inculcate patriotism. And yet, the government is obsessed with these wasteful record-breaking attempts.

In my humble opinion, the true patriots of Malaysia are those millions of hard working people who, despite all odds, strive to support their family and provide a good education for their children. I salute them with all my heart and I want to let them know that the Malaysian flag is truly flying in their hearts.

I used to look forward to Monday morning assemblies during my school years. That was when I got to sing the Negaraku in its soulful and majestic tempo, together with all my other schoolmates. From the first drum roll by the school band, denoting the start of the anthem, we would all sing our hearts out. Because we were still innocent and confined to the school environment, we live by every word in the lyrics.

But reality came too soon. When it was time to leave school, each of us went our own way. Some continued with tertiary education and some started working.

The shock of inequality and injustice in the real world was like a hot wave of heat from a bonfire. We were at last disillusioned by what we were taught by our teachers. But that did not deter us from striving to achieve our goals.

We did not resort to anarchic demonstrations to protest. o­n the contrary, we worked hard and kept our peace throughout. No doubt, we were sad about our predicament, but we still remain loyal to the country.

Years later, someone in the government decided to change the tempo of the Negaraku to a livelier tempo. From being a majestic and soulful tune, it has become contemporary and militaristic. I have never sung it since then because I find the tempo too fast and distasteful. But that does not make me less patriotic than those people who desecrate the national anthem in the first place.

Patriotism is not merely singing songs to praise the country and displaying the national flag. It is something which is sacred and personal to all Malaysians, regardless of race.

By singling out the Chinese community in his speech, Kadir has stained the social fabric of our plural society with unfounded mistrust. He should stop denying what he had said and do the honourable thing by admitting his mistake.