With the evolving global village concept, apparently, the concept of nation state is gradually blurred. But it is undeniable that, until today, many politicians are still monopolising political and national resources in the name of nation state to carry on their long-term rule. Building a nation state with only a singular culture has always been their dream that they will never give up.

It is worrying that in these people's concept, if you wish to be recognised as part of the country, you must first become exactly the same like them. Otherwise, you will be regarded as “not the same kind” and “unpatriotic”.

For them, the definition of recognition and patriotism are referring to neither your loyalty and devotion to your country nor your willingness to work with your country through thick and thin and share a common destiny with it. Instead, you must become exactly the same like them in terms of culture, religion and thinking.

This is why, after the World War II, many countries had immediately plunged into a racial strife or national identity dispute. Some newly established nation states did not enjoy peace and happiness. Instead, they have been entangled in an endless racial confrontation, and even a horrendous tragedy of racial cleansing. They tried to conquer and annex the minority racial groups while high-handedly, made them become part of the majority group.

However, the arrival of the global village concept, the strong influence of the penetration of “migration”, together with “cross-border” trade and cultural activities, have made it more and more difficult for some nation states to achieve their goal of singularising cultures. They are even losing the possibility to make their dreams come true.

We are all talking about cross-border capital, industries, products, information and personnel today. Take Johor Bahru as an example, many residents here are having dual identities. They are Malaysians and at the same time, permanent residents of Singapore. They build their families and live in Johor Bahru but work, build their business base and economic ties in Singapore.

In fact, in today's era, it is not something rare to hold multiple identities with cross-cultural qualifications. As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said, these people are just making a living abroad in order to have a better future. How can we see them as unpatriotic or disloyal to their own country? If we keep insisting on the heavy concept of nation state that forces them to follow the singular patriotism and recognition standards, it will end up forcing them to leave the country.

Of course, it seems to be too arbitrary to exaggerate the rise of personal power or jump to the conclusion that the nation state concept will start declining from now on based only on the above arguments. However, the power of transnationalism and diversity will keep growing and it will definitely become a global trend which is increasingly difficult to resist! (By LIM MUN FAH/Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/Sin Chew Daily)