In his Merdeka message, he also appealed for government policies not to be politicised. But politicising these issues will continue as long as there is no transparency and freedom to debate policies formulation and implementation.
The mandate to use English to teach Science and Mathematics in all schools next year is one example. Though I am for the move, the average man on the street, particularly the Chinese, is befuddled and against it.
Any language, English especially, is not something one can be fluent in by just picking up a few strings of words. The intention is to enhance our fluency to make the country more competitive internationally. Hence, the suspicion among Chinese Malaysians.
The issue, like any other of national interest, warrants more open and public debate, not threats. When Chinese-based BN parties voiced their discontent over the policy, Umno Youth and leaders warned and threatened them about politicising the issue.
Are threats — that too within BN — the right way to resolve an issue as sensitive as this? Why was such an important policy not discussed in the Cabinet and a consensus reached before the decision for change? Why were the Chinese against the policy? Were they kept in the dark?
These questions say a lot about the state of national unity in our country. Mahathir must be really alarmed and frightened by the current state of affairs. His tireless efforts of the past 20 years to develop the country are now in danger of being destroyed by religious and racial discrimination and differences, and consequently, disunity.
The country must now come to grips with the dark reality of the true situation. There must be political will to uplift the lot of the poor, regardless of race and religion. The ugly spectre of emphasis on race must be erased from our society — in all state matters, employment (especially in the civil service) and education.
An impartial watchdog should be set up to monitor and ensure that policies spell out equality for all. This can be a good start to arrest the divide of our society.
While it was refreshing to see the 'unity' theme reel on TV during Merdeka, it is merely superficial gloss for a seriously wounded nation. The country, now more than ever in its history, is deeply divided according to racial and religious lines.
I do not know whether it is too late to arrest the ever-widening gap among the people but it is better to be late than never amending our social ills.
Championing race and religion to gain political clout is like riding a wild tiger — easy to get on and looks impressive too but almost impossible to dismount without being killed by the tiger.
Social justice and fair play will ultimately lead to unity of the people. There is no other option but to try to put the country on the right path again.