I fully agree with Abdul Hadi Ali's letter that a common language (not necessarily Malay) be taught in all schools. This issue is not about Malay-land but concerns national integration and the future of Malaysia.

As all major races in Malaysia cannot agree and are unwilling to abandon their own language, one solution is to set up English medium schools which could attract a multiracial student population.

This may be totally unacceptable to many Malaysians and may be impossible to implement due to political and social obstacles. However, I believe it must be done as children studying and interacting in vernacular or national schools at primary level (comprising mainly of one particular race) will not be comfortable or easily accept students of other races whom they will meet at the secondary school level or higher.

Recent reports on the lack of racial integration at local universities is an example of this.

Those who insist on maintaining current status quo of vernacular and national schools can do so but at the risk of jeopardising the future job prospects of their children. The issue of unemployed graduates (better still, unemployable) due to their poor command of English is proof of this.

Let's think about national integration (already a difficult topic) and the future prosperity and stability of Malaysia. Cast aside the prejudices and narrow concerns of your race.

If we don't act now, we and our children will suffer the consequences and will only have to blame ourselves for the impending mess that will materialise.