THE beginning of 2021 marks the end of Vision 2020 - a utopian concept launched in 1991, which imagined all sorts of futures for our nation. Besides technological and economic advancement, one challenge was also mentioned in Vision 2020 - “Creating a united Malaysia with a shared goal”.
Thirty years after the announcement, integration and national cohesion have yet to be fully addressed. Racial sentiments and mutual suspicion continue to create tensions that may explode at any time.
In 2021, we are called to dig deep and see what visions of stronger unity we might be able to offer Malaysians moving forward. In light of this, the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) has put forth the idea of Cosmopolitan Islam as a key pillar in the forging of Bangsa Malaysia, which in turn can be the key pillar and concept in forging national unity. These ideas were discussed at length in the policy speech at Abim’s 49th Annual General Assembly on Dec 26,2020.