This country is beginning to scare me more and more. Racism is becoming more blatant, not by the man on the street, but by the government itself.

From the petulant ramblings of Perkasa to the writings in Utusan Malaysia, there seems to be no more meaning to the term ‘sensitive issue’ as all areas are considered fair game as far as these Umno-controlled entities are concerned.  

And the worst is that the minorities in this country cannot defend themselves or retaliate in any way, lest the ISA comes crashing through their doors. Ever since BN’s poor election showing in the 2008 general election and Najib Abdul Razak’s ascension to the ‘throne’ of the prime minister-ship, Malaysia has become almost unrecognisable from my childhood days.  

The man-on-the-street is generally peaceful, I have never encountered an outright racist attack from any other race, maybe just indifference, but never anything outright. Many years ago when I was studying in the UK, the bond between Malaysian’s of all races race was even stronger, as being in a foreign land we stuck together and fought for each other.  

Now it seems even Umno’s reach has extended to our students in London. Now I fear for the future as we seem to be heading towards a form of apartheid and increasing segregation. While the rest of the world is moving forward , we seem to be sinking back into chaos and repeating the mistakes of other nations.  

All because of emotions and pride.  I fear for what my children will encounter as they grow up to be the next generation of Malaysians. I don’t want to ‘vote with my feet’ as they say, it doesn’t seem right to run away from a problem.  

This is my country and I expect my kids to make it theirs as well so what good will it do if we run away? I am just disappointed and disgusted at the way an ‘ultra’ group of Malaysians are sowing discord, disunity and hatred in their own nation.  

Don’t they see that a united Malaysia is going to be much more progressive and powerful than a fragmented one? As the saying goes, what is sown will be reaped. I cannot wait for that day of fairness to come and hopefully it’ll be in my lifetime.