1969 Malaysia Day Message By T h e P r e s i d e n t of AIMSA (All India Malaysian Students Association) Dr Teoh Soong Kee , in a Merdeka Banquet in Bombay with 500 guests.

This year we are celebrating our Merdeka in a more sombre mood. The recent events (May 13) have shaken us from our complacency, at the same time throwing a challenge to all of us to exert greater efforts in National Integration. Hearts that are determined and honest need not be deterred by any tendency to pessimism. They certainly should not be warped into an air of violence and intolerance. Just as the previous generation has struggled for our country's independence, let the present generation continue the struggle for freedom - freedom from want and fear, freedom from violence and destruction. Yes, we must fight, but not to destroy. We must fight to UPHOLD our INTEGRITY, our SOLIDALITY and our HARMONY. We must persist in our MALAYSIAN ideals and hopes. Racial Groups For these hopes and these promises are abundant in Malaysia, a land big enough and rich enough, for all who stake their lives and spirit in the nation. Inequalities exist, as in any country, although in Malaysia, owing to our unique historical and economic development, they tend to fall into certain racial groups. However poverty is not peculiar to any group, nor is wealth a privilege of other groups. Feudalistic and capitalistic forms of exploitation still predominate and transcend any racial barrier. The struggle should then be directed towards these, rather than at any community. Let not over-generalisation blind us from the facts. Prejudices In this vein, AIMSA feels that a great responsibility lies in the hands of the student and the intelligent community, a role to be accepted with vigour. It is not sufficient merely not to do evil. We would be shirking in our principles, if we fail to stop disruptive elements, irrespective of any racial group. Too long and too often have the mischievous few of any group lead all of us into ransom and loss. So long as we remain passive, it will be us, no matter how innocent, who will suffer. Let the students start with ourselves. Let us shed away any old habits and prejudices in what we say, think, and act that may lead to misunderstanding and doubts. Let MALAYSIAN be our goal and our means. In the moment of rejoicing on Merdeka Day, let us pause and remember our tasks ahead. To all members of AIMSA, and especially those who have recently join our fold, let us make AIMSA an instrument to perpetuate our MALAYSIAN ideals while we are away from home. At the same time we have an equal responsibility to uphold our country's relations with the Indian people. Wishing all the best to our members in their celebrations.