Malaysia did not win the Thomas Cup finals in New Delhi last night against Japan but the country did not plunge into gloom. In fact, Malaysia celebrated the seven men who got the country to dream of success.
And in turn, Malaysians celebrated themselves as Malaysians – not divided by race, religion or political beliefs but united by the seven men who sweated to make it to the finals, a dream so unheard of that even the state broadcaster dismissed getting the broadcasting rights.
The seven were Malaysians although some in the country would describe them as "pendatang" or migrants. But which migrants would carry such a heavy responsibility and fight tooth and nail to bring back a cup last won in 1992?
And which seven could unite the country from both sides of the political divide, from all corners of the country to chant and cheer them against Japan, which made its debut in the Thomas Cup finals?
Let us name the glorious seven, starting from Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the first singles to Tan Boon Heong/Hoon Thien How in the first doubles, second singles Chong Wei Feng, second doubles Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong and the heroic third singles Daren Liew.
The team's success to reach the finals had given such joy to country and shows how stupid and nonsensical are groups like Isma, Perkasa and newspapers like Utusan Malaysia and other Umno acolytes that persists in playing the race card and calling Chinese trespassers or asking "Apa lagi Cina mahu" after GE13 last year.
The simple fact is that Malaysia is strongest when Malaysians embrace diversity.
And equally as strong when they embrace meritocracy.
The seven men that played their hearts out in the Thomas Cup finals were our best – not anyone who made it due to quotas or connections because they were of a certain race or circle.
The seven showed us that we can rise above the petty politics and divisive views of those who believe that Malaysia belongs to only one race or one religious community.
In fact, they showed how hollow that argument is. And how irrelevant they are in the national narrative.
Not only that. Lee Chong Wei and his six compatriots in Team Malaysia plus the Malaysians cheering in New Delhi and in front of television sets across the world have shown what can unite Malaysians.
It is not the fear of another race usurping wealth and position or being besieged by Jews and Zionists but more that a Malaysian fighting and sweating his heart out is worth the support.
Those in Isma or Perkasa can talk bad about those who "trespass" the country and should be sent back to their home country but no one is going to listen to them as long as Malaysia has the champions to beat the world.
Those champions include the likes of the ageing Lee Chong Wei and his friends in the national badminton team – not the ones who question a Malaysian's race or contributions to the country.
Malaysia does not need loudmouths who seek to divide the country, it needs those whose work unites the people. That is the national badminton team, not racists who believe in divide and rule.
For that, we have to thank Lee Chong Wei and gang, for making us cheer, clap and believe that we can take the Thomas Cup that we last won in 1992.
Team Malaysia did not win the Thomas Cup last night, but it won the hearts of 30 million Malaysians who stood as one behind their team playing the upstart Japan.
Malaysia might have lost 2-3 to Japan in the New Delhi finals but the majority of us won back the inspiration and desire to be Malaysians – united for our sports teams and our country.
If only the likes of Isma and Perkasa understand that we are all Malaysians, not ethnicities that need to be reminded that we are migrants and owe our stay to the goodwill of the natives.
Maybe that is asking too much from those who believe their world view is the correct one.
In any case, we have Team Malaysia and we can still applaud them for their fighting spirit in Thomas Cup 2014. A good job of nearly winning the cup but certainly winning and uniting our hearts as Malaysians. – May 26, 2014.
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