MALAYS, Chinese, Indians and indigenous tribes have long coexisted in Malaysia within a complex social fabric, making it a country rich in cultural and ethnic variety.
With ethnicity and religion playing major roles in politics and policy-making, this diversity has, however, also been a cause of conflict.
These concerns gained prominence in the 15th General Election (GE15) as a result of politicians and political parties pandering to the ethnic bases of their constituencies, which further divided the public.
Parties with an ethnic focus saw a huge increase in popularity during the election.
For instance, Perikatan Nasional (PN), which is led by the Malay-centric Pas (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia), achieved notable success, especially in regions where the Malay population predominates.
This change demonstrated the growing popularity of racial politics.
The GE15 results were not as clear cut as we expected, as none of the coalition parties had obtained a simple majority.
Ensuingly, with words of wisdom from the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, a unity government was formed and championed by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister hand in hand with PH, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
However, Perikatan Nasional's infamous excuses for refusing to join hands in the unity government were made crystal clear despite them being one of the two coalitions with the leading majority along with PH.
Post-GE15 surveys revealed a spike in people's perceptions of racial tensions.
According to a survey conducted by Merdeka Centre, many Malay-sians thought racial relations had gotten worse after the election.
Ethnic minorities, who expressed concerns about the growing dominance of race-based politics, were most vocal in favour of this viewpoint.
A more divided society results from the rise in racism and racial polarisation, which weakens social cohesiveness. Long-term effects of this fragmentation may include a deterioration in national unity and a rise in community mistrust.
After Anwar's government was formed, more popularly known as the unity government, he appointed Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang as the national unity minister.
As I see it, considering the current situation of national unity, Anwar saw Aaron as the only felicitous candidate for the position considering his background.
Aaron's political career is anchored in his advocacy for the rights and advancement of rural and indigenous people, as he represents the Iban community, one of the largest indigenous groups in Malaysia, providing him with a unique perspective of the importance of unity in a nation as diverse as Malaysia.
As a prominent member of parliament and a member of governmental committees, he has pushed for policies that provide equal access to opportunities in healthcare, work and education for Malaysians.
As a student and proud Malaysian youth, it is important for me to be able to function across multicultural and interfaith environments.
As I have observed, Aaron has taken significant strides in converging interfaith dialogues with youth and diverse communities.
Recognising that religious differences can sometimes lead to conflict, he has arranged and sponsored initiatives and gatherings, bringing together religious leaders and community members to discuss shared values and clear up misconceptions.
One of the most memorable examples of his initiatives is the establishment and utilisation of three sub-bureaus under the 'Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Harmoni', which is jointly controlled by the National Unity Ministry and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
An example of an issue settled under the bureaus of the Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Harmoni was a discussion held between the national unity minister, the minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) and representatives of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism to resolve the concerns of MCCBCHST on the role of placing Jakim executive officers in government agencies to assist in strengthening, understanding and increasing work motivation based on the appreciation of noble values in service.
Aaron has placed great emphasis on the role of Malaysian youth in shaping a united Malaysia — a vision that resonates with me.
Under the banner of 'Unity through Volunteering', his commitment is shown through the RM2.3 million allocated to Yayasan Suka-relawan Siswa for unity programmes this year.
Through initiatives like the Green Summer Volunteer Campaign in Vietnam, which ran from July 4 to Aug 9, students not only contributed to community projects but also gained cross-cultural experiences.
These programmes have empowered young people to work together, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the nation's future.
By bringing youths together in volunteer missions, Aaron has inspired a new generation to bridge divides and build a stronger society.
Although it may seem that he has got the national unity of Malaysia in order, it's important to clear up a common misunderstanding.
The National Unity Ministry, despite having one of the smallest budgets, does not have enforcement power.
Issues like racism and discrimination that require legal action fall under other ministries such as the Home Affairs Ministry, but Aaron has done an excellent job in raising awareness and fostering understanding about these issues.
Mending the deteriorating unity of a country is no simple task, and his initiatives have proven to be effective and nothing but praiseworthy.
However, as a proud Malaysian myself, I will continue to observe his initiatives, criticising and acknowledging what I must as checks and balances.
A'ishah Azarisman is an intern at Architects of Diversity Malaysia and a third-year Political Science student at the International Islamic University Malaysia, who believes that Malaysia must fight against discrimination and cultivate social cohesion.