The Merdeka celebrations have passed but it is very saddening and demoralising that after 48 years of independence, we still have not found a Malaysian identity and continue to harp on a race and religion-based agenda, which does not really suit anyone except those with that agenda.

In recent weeks, all newspapers have been highlighting to many moans about religion and race- based speeches that has somewhat made many of us feel uneasy. Letters to editors sections in the media have been inundated with the people's views.

It is good to have readers giving their views on the infamous remarks by a certain MP retort who degraded some Malaysians besides asking some others to get out of the country. I am impressed with these statements as they only show how shallow this particular MP is. The problem is, the government is letting him flare up race-based sentiments inside the safety of Parliament without warning him on his actions.

One of the greatest myths of modern Malaysia is how tolerant we are of other religions and races. That is pure hogwash. Places of worship have been denied on the grounds that others disagree with the noise. Dogs are being targeted as they are seen to be unacceptable to some. Ayah Pin's commune has been attacked by a mob. What guarantee is there that someday this mob will not turn on others?

We have ministers and MPs playing the race card with impunity. I want to continue to live in a tolerant Malaysia but it looks like those in power may spoil that opportunity by playing up race-based rhetoric. Mixed marriages are frowned upon just based on prejudice. In fact, many Malaysians are okay about marrying an American or a European but they abhor marriages among our own main communities. What a pity.

Unity, diversity and tolerance to us is attending each other's festivals and eating each other's food at the restaurants. We think the yearly Petronas, Telekom and Tenaga 'feel good' ads that wins awards for celebrating racial diversity and promoting harmony are sufficient for nation-building.

How many of us actually regularly mix with friends from different races and religions on a daily basis? Let us not kid ourselves that all is good and hunky dory. It is not. To resolve and overcome this, we need honesty from everyone.

Elders must make sure they set a good example to the youngsters. At the moment, I think they are the worst set of examples there can be for racial harmony and integration. In fact, youngsters now seem not too concerned with racial identity but it is the elders who are inflicting serious damage with their views. I think the worst affliction affecting our society is hypocrisy.

Hopefully by the time our 50th Independence celebrations come in 2007, we all will know ourselves as Malaysian first and Malaysian only.