After 50 years of independence, Malaysians are still drowned in so many picky situations. Unity is still a subject of contention but many would not budge even a little when it comes to having a single education system for all Malaysians using the definitive language of the country - the national language.

There has been no compromise in using the definitive language when it comes to national unity in most countries but in Malaysia, the education system is so varied that there are religious, vernacular and national schools. Each race championing the right to use its mother-tongue language in a country they have lived in and called home, some more than 50 years.

Some of the national schools have lost their secular identity of yesteryear and are distracting a section of the populace from sending their children to these schools. In no other countries in the world could we observe such an education system. The education system we adhere to has brought considerable disunity to the people of this nation.

The nation should gradually strive to promote a common language for all to use in all spheres within the nation's context. The national schools should be neutral and play a role in realising this. Studies have shown that people are seen to be more united when they seriously communicate in a common language a language that symbolises the sovereignty of a country.

Though most Malaysians are polyglots, they should feel affection for the national language as it is the definitive language of the people in this part of the Malay archipelago. History has shown that unity can be forged through a common language if the language is the pride of an independent nation. The people can always work towards achieving unity through a common language though they live in diversity.

As in most languages, they are not necessarily identified by racial or religious tones. For instance, Arabic is not only spoken by Muslims but also by the Christians and the Jews. Most of the Indian languages are spoken by Indians of all religions and regions. The Thai language is spoken by the ethnic Chinese and ethnic Thai in Thailand. Though these people may not profess the same religion they can still share something in common it's the same language. This has brought unity to some of these ethnic groups, to a certain degree.

Studies have found that language can transcend ethnicity as people relate more when they speak in a common language. Their common physical traits become secondary. People can cross the cultural divide through a common language.

Thus, language is transcendental and has the unique bonding power that could help bring unity in a society. A point in case is the people of Kelantan. Despite having a big Malay and Muslim majority, the various races in this state Chinese, Indians and Thais - live relatively in harmony. The people here relate to each other comfortably through a common linguistic idiolect Malay as spoken by the Kelantanese and this has brought cohesion to the people of Kelantan, casting race and religion aside.

We have never heard of any racial or religious strife let alone the desecration of place of worship or religious icons - in this predominantly Muslim state since independence. The non-Muslims are relatively comfortable living in this state.