KUALA LUMPUR: National badminton icon Datuk Lee Chong Wei took to social media to share his nostalgic reflection on Malaysia's unity.

In a Facebook post, the former world No. 1 expressed his deep love for the country and the bonds that unite Malaysians across all races.

Recalling his childhood days, Lee humorously reminisced about playing football with his friends, where the makeshift goalposts were often just a pair of shoes.

For some reason, their positions in the matches were as if they were 'divinely assigned', he wrote.

"The agile Malay friends would take up the roles of strikers or playmakers.

"The Indian marathoners would play as wingers and the Chinese play midfield.

"That's how we were when we played football-shoulder to shoulder, striving to win.

"We'd play until nightfall, and the only thing that could stop us was the call to Maghrib (prayer).

"Then, we'd all run home as fast as we could, scared of our mothers, whether they were Indian, Malay, Chinese, Bumiputera, or even 'mat salleh'," he said.

Lee said Malaysia is strongest when all its people stand together, united in their love for the nation.

"We cheer together for our athletes, we defend our food with passion, and we bleed the same red blood, no matter our race.

"There is no Chinese, Malay, or Indian blood-only A, B, AB, or O. And we have all shed it for this country. We truly love our Malaysia.

"As Malaysians celebrate the National Day, Lee urged everyone to remember the importance of unity.

"Today, as we wave our flags with pride, let us remember that Malaysia's strength is rooted in its people.

"We are the engineers of our nation's destiny, and it is through our unity, hard work, and unwavering belief in each other that we will continue to soar."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/1099464/chong-wei-we-all-bleed-same-blood-malaysia