A group of 21 non-governmental organisations has urged Malaysians to reject violence, hatred, exclusion and fear from public life in light of the nation's blot in history - the May 13, 1969, racial riots.

Malaysia, they said, is a nation meant for peace, love, inclusion and freedom and not dominated by violence, hatred, exclusion and fear.  

“The country as a nation of diverse ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural heritages is a blessing to all, not a curse or a historical error.

“This diversity enriches us and allows us to learn from one another and to be more competitive globally, through better understanding of and connection with major civilisations in the world,” the NGOs said.

The group includes Alumni PBTUSM KL & Selangor, Baramkini, Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM), Engage, Friends in Conversation, Global Bersih, Institute for Development of Alternative Living, Islamic Renaissance Front, Japan Graduates Association Malaysia and LLG Cultural Development Centre.

Others include Malaysians for Teoh Beng Hock, National Indian Action Team, Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall, Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute, Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor,   Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower), Research for Social Advancement (Refsa), Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia, Suaram, Women's Aid Organisation and Writers’ Alliance for Media Independence.

Our future is in multi-party democracy

The country's future, the 21 NGOs further stated, lies solely in multi-party democracy, defined by free and fair elections; protection of civil and political liberties; advancement of economic, social and cultural rights; rule of law and respect for the rights of the constituent states.

“Whatever our differences, violence, hatred, exclusion and fear cannot, and must not, be used by anyone, state or non-state actors alike, to pursue their agenda.

They further pledged to defend peace, love and freedom in Malaysia, and also called on politicians and political parties to openly declare that they will govern and administer the country well, irrespective of ethnicity, belief, gender and any other social standing.

Their statement today comes in response to the warning from Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma)  yesterday that the country is “under siege” from several parties acting as proxies for "Jews, Zionists, and Evangelists” and also academician Ridhuan Tee Abdullah admonition of the “ingratitude of some non-Malays” for the freedom and tolerance they have enjoyed.