Catholic Bishops: Place country and society first before personal or political interests

KUALA LUMPUR: Place the country and society first before any personal or political interests while striving for a stronger unity, Catholic bishops urged Malaysians.
The Malaysia Catholic Bishops' Conference, in its Merdeka and Malaysia Day message, also called on lawmakers, civil leaders and those who implement the law to uphold the Rukun Negara principles and the Federal Constitution to enable Malaysia to be a just and free nation.
"Let us place our country and society above individual and political interest and enthuse a culture of peace by intensifying our linkages of friendship and fostering goodwill and harmony so that all Malaysians can live and prosper together as one integrated nation, enriched by our ethnic and cultural diversities. United we stand, divided we fall," its president Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim said in statement today.
He said racially and religiously motivated forms of polarisation should not be allowed to gain ground.
"Let us reject whatever form of hindrances that is detrimental to the country's solidarity," Leow said.
He said Malaysians need bridges and networks to connect with people of all levels and have a change of mind-set in favour of inter-racial solidarity, mutual religious respect and acceptance and mutual up-building.
"Meanwhile, for us as citizens, the spirit of patriotism and love for our country must impel us to speak out courageously against the ills besetting our country and to make sacrifices when called upon.
"We must act charitably and constructively for the good of our country," they said in their joint message.
"Strategies for growth and progress can only be significant if they are steered towards national unity with a spirit of love and patriotism," he said.
Leow said the Church exhorts its members to cultivate a generous and loyal spirit of patriotism but without being narrow-minded, to always direct their attention to the good of the whole human family, united by the different ties which bind together races, people and nations.
While acknowledging the country's advancement in many sectors, the Bishops said the Malaysians cannot be oblivious to several critical issues affecting the nation.
"These include the controversial National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016 which is perceived as being contrary to democratic norms, the volatile financial situation with a high cost of living aggravated by excessive levies, retrenchment of workers, corruption and wastage.
"These problems need to be resolved urgently in the interest of the country. The government must carry out its obligation with a greater sense of accountability, transparency and integrity," Leow said.