In the midst of much confusion that has been created, the general population must still remember to exercise their rational thinking and give due respect to a former PM who is now struggling with his own identity, the same way every old person is challenged the same way.

The only real concern is not the honourable Dr Mahathir Mohamad's views and comments, but how much space and publicity the media decides to give to irrational thinking, especially when it can create disharmony.

We will soon be celebrating 50 years as a nation with so many indicators of success (and some failures) and PMs come and PMs go. Malaysians must make a decision to be stakeholders in nation-building and national unity no matter what the current circumstances are.

Pak Lah is very sincere as a man 'for all seasons and peoples' but he cannot do it alone. We all have to do our part. We have so much in common, as persons, as parents as citizens of this wonderful country. Politicians are not the majority and not necessary the real voice of the nation. They may represent some voices but we Malaysians of all races, creeds and cultures must find ways to create a better Malaysia for all our children.

What kind of a Malaysia are we creating for our children? Are we creating a legacy our children can be proud of or have we ourselves have become inward-looking and unknowingly becoming very racist is our comments, opinions and actions as we try to establish our rights and neglect our responsibility as stakeholders in nation-building?

In nation-building efforts, we are as much part of the solution as we are part of the problem. The choice to commit our future to this nation is what every Malaysian has to make. Then we can be constructive!