(Petaling Jaya, Saturday) : DAP hails the massive efforts put in by both IJN doctors and ordinary Malaysians in trying to save the life of 14-year old mechanical heart patient Tee Hui Yi. Ordinary Malaysians and IJN doctors have shown BN and UMNO leaders that Malaysian unity is not about shouting slogans of agama, bangsa dan negara but about acts of compassion, kindness and caring for each other regardless of the different color of our skin or the gods we pray.

Tee had moved and inspired Malaysians with her fortitude and courage in wanting to live despite being confined to a mechanical heart in a hospital bed for a year, facing numerous infections and loss of weight. She had only one year to live unless she could get a heart donor. What is almost miraculous about the twin heart transplants is that the twin donors came from a Malay and a Chinese who had died from a road accident.

It is such acts of compassion that to save lives, one does not discriminate between races or religion as our blood is of a similar red that breathes hope for the future of one single Malaysian race and nation. Furthermore the doctors in IJN conducting the highly complex and sophisticated heart surgery are mainly Malays from IJN heart and lung transplant unit clinical director Dr Mohamed Izani Md Taib, IJN’s chief cardiothoracic surgeon Datuk Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub and Datuk Dr Robaiyah.

Clearly their life-saving skills and expertise have shown that Malays can be the best in the world by relying on their diligence and abilities. DAP hails these IJN doctors who have made Malaysians proud and reminds the BN government not to think that Malays need to rely on government subsidies to succeed because if given incentives and opportunities, Malays have the same drive and determination to be global champions.

IJN doctors have shown that not only are they global champions but can be a symbol of hope for all Malaysians. Ordinary Malaysians have also shown that despite the racial rhetoric by UMNO leaders, they reject such divisions and consider each other as Malaysians. UMNO and BN leaders should learn from this moving episode and stop dividing Malaysians by theories of racial dominance but move towards a Malaysian race where everyone is a Malaysian who speaks Malay, accepts the Malaysian Federal Constitution and considers Malaysia their only home.