The country's social development trends lean more towards racial polarisation rather than national integration, said Pernas International Holdings chief executive officer Tunku Shahriman Tunku Sulaiman today.

Shahriman, in a working paper titled 'The Pathways We Have Trodden: The Social Contracts Revisited' at a national unity conference, said this was obvious in urban areas, where the racial composition of the residents do not reflect that of the country's.

"Malaysians must continue to stay united to meet new challenges and should not sideline one another," he added.

The two-day convention which commenced today at the Sunway Resort Hotel, Selangor, saw the presentation of various papers on national unity issues. The event, the National Unity Convention, is organised by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute.

"While the bumiputras are the largest community in Malaysia, it must be careful never to sideline or dominate other communities and must make special efforts to show that other ethnic groups have an equal place in our country to enjoy progress, opportunities and prosperity," said Shahriman.

Racially divided

Shahriman who credited the National Economic Plan for being able to empower Malaysians economically to a certain extent, referred to the recent Petaling Jaya Selatan communal clashes as an example of poverty-stricken communities being racially divided.

The clashes which sparked off in March and predominantly centred in squatter areas, saw six deaths and scores others injured

"Just look at the existence of Kampung Ghandi, Kampung Melayu and Kampung Medan in the midst of our urban sprawl. This trend cannot be perpetuated and must be stopped.

"It is easier said than done as much of this racial gulf stems from poverty. We should re-examine our social development strategies and priorities to ensure sufficient resources are allocated in providing these groups, with basic social amenities and physical infrastructure for them to have a decent living environment," explained Shahriman.

Shahriman also pointed out that religious teachers should not use religion as a tool to fan extremism, creating hatred and rekindling ethnic grievances while politicians must stop harping on racial issues as a way to gain political mileage at the expense of peace and stability.

Real victims

"I am stressing this because the real victims, as shown in 1969, are not the rich and the privileged but the powerless, the poor and the disadvantaged, he said.

"In the aftermath of the riots, the political, religious and so-called community leaders who claimed to be champions of the less fortunate, escape unscathed while those they vowed to protect, suffer," he added.

Shariman stressed that Malaysians should discuss sensitive issues openly but sympathetically and constructively, instead of sweeping them under the carpet.

He reasoned that the development of new housing areas must also be reviewed, to ensure that there is no predominance of one race.

"We must understand that while Malaysia is not a homogenous society, our religious beliefs, culture and history all teach us that fundamental values such as honesty, loyalty, integrity and justice are vital in producing a stable and progressive social order," said Shahriman.