UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy located in Southeast Asia. It consists of

thirteen states and three federal territories and has a total landmass of 330,803 square kilometres
(127,720 sq mi) separated by the South China Sea into two similarly sized regions, Peninsular
Malaysia and East Malaysia (Malaysian Borneo). Malaysia is a plural society. It is repository of
multiplicity of cultures. Malaysian civilization, stretching over two thousand years, provides the
most distinctive feature in the coexistence of unity in diversity.
National unity and integrity have been maintained even though sharp economic and social
inequalities have obstructed the emergence of equalitarian social relations. It is this synthesis which
has made Malaysia a unique mosaic of cultures. Malaysia is, in fact, a panorama of its own types
without a parallel in other continents. Foreign invasions, immigration from other parts of the world
and the existence of diverse languages, cultures and religions have made Malaysias culture
tolerant, on the one hand, and a unique continuing and living culture with its specificity and
historicity on the other.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity are the major religions. Besides
twenty two Constitutionally recognized languages, there are several hundred dialects There is
diversity not only in regard to racial compositions, religious and linguistic distinctions but also in
patterns of living, life styles, occupational pursuits, inheritance and succession of law and practices
and rites related to birth, marriage, death etc.
United we stand, divided we fall is very well known saying. It highlights the importance of
unity. We all know that unity is strength. Unity is of great value in every walk of life. If there is
unity among people then their strength increases. On the other hand, their strength decreases if there
is disunity or conflict among them.We all know the story of the old man and his three sons. When
the old man was dying, his sons began to quarrel. He asked them, one by one, to break a bundle of
sticks tied together. They could not do it. He ordered the bundle to be united and then asked his sons
to break each stick separately. They did it easily. This was a lesson for the sons; and they never
afterwards quarreled or forgot to stand united.
Why unity is important? Wealthy people have made themselves poor by quarrels and
dissensions amongst themselves.Millionaires came to grief when members of their families
disagreed and set themselves against each other.Much of the social, economic, environmental and
global issues can be solved, if people around the world get united as one entity.When people of a
country develop a sense of unity among themselves, the government of that country can focus on
economic development, and security of the nation. The policy of mischief-makers has been to bring
about disagreement among brothers in a family; and what is true of a family is equally true of a
country. But man too often forgets the truth of the saying, United we stand, divided we fall.
NAME

RESHNA A/P RAMAN