HISHAMMUDDIN DREAMS OF A UNITED MALAYSIA

MELBOURNE, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Hishammuddin Hussein said he has the same
dream his grandfather Onn Jaffar had about 50 years ago - a united Malaysia.

Speaking at a well-attended seminar here titled "Racial integration and its
challenges" organised by Melbourne United Malays National Organisation (Umno)
Club Sunday, the Minister of Home Affairs said the topic was close to the heart
of all Malaysians. Umno is the political party heading the ruling National Front
or Barisan Nasional (BN)

"It is one that is very close to me personally being the grandson of Onn
(Jaffar) who wanted to open Umno to all races and as the son of Hussein
"Bapa Perpaduan (Father of Unity)," Hishammuddin said.

He said the 1Malaysia concept introduced and promoted by Prime Minister
Najib Razak was a revival of Onn's dream of a united Malaysia -- many races but
one Malaysia.

"I continue to dream of a united Malaysia and I continue to hold on to
that dream," said Hishammuddin to an applause from more than 200 Malaysian
students.

But he admitted integration in Malaysia was becoming much more difficult and
full of challenges.

"For example, even education and schools can easily become the place in
which we can be most emotional," Hishammuddin said.

"On the issue of language between multilingualism and mother tongue, the
preservation of indigenous and ethnic languages, and the position of Bahasa
Malaysia could easily turn ugly for the whole world to see.

"The decision to teach Science and Maths in English can easily raise heated
cultural and ethnic linguistic defence," he said.

Hishammuddin said, though the odds for racial integration in Malaysia "are
against us, though it may still be a dream that has yet to materialise, we must
continue to hold on to that dream, work hard at it with sincerity, honesty and
integrity".
--BERNAMA