Malaysians (whether you are Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan, Iban, Orang Asli or some other race), it should be clear to you that we have not had an opposition front as strong and competitive as the Barisan Nasional since independence.

Fifty years have gone by, and the government machinery has failed to unite Malaysians of all races. Instead, it has cleverly used a ‘divide and rule’ policy to cling to power without uplifting the poor and needy.

Poverty exists amongst all races in Malaysia. It is more common in the Malay and Indian communities although there are still poor Chinese people living in rural parts of Malaysia.

Despite the affirmative action policies of the government to enrich and uplift the Malays for the past 30 years, a majority of the Malays are still poor. They are as badly marginalised and downtrodden as the Indians. It is a well-known fact that it is the Barisanputras – not the common bumiputeras – who are benefitting most.

In essence, the Malays who are not benefitting from affirmative action policies hold grudges against Umno, just as Indians hold grudges against MIC and the Chinese against the Gerakan and the MCA.

The most important point for all of us to understand is that we are all affected by BN in one way or another as it is not a government by the people, for the people. It is a government that has thrived by dividing its people using the sensitive issues of race and religion over the past 50 years. As a result, only certain select groups of people have benefitted.

The opposition parties still do not seem to understand Malaysian politics, despite contesting for so many general elections. They always brainwash and woo the Chinese and Indians into voting for them, but they forget and overlook the Malay masses with the ultimate power to elect the right government.

The DAP can easily get the support of dissatisfied Chinese and Indians. PAS and PKR should not waste their precious time in wooing Chinese and Indian voters. Instead, they should garner the unwavering support of the rural Malays who seem to blindly support Umno without realising what is good for them and the country in the long-term.

DAP, PKR and PAS must compromise, sacrifice and stand together to fight for the common goal of a government by the people, for the people.

If we mess it up again this time, we will have to wait another five years. Life is very simple provided you make the right choices and decisions as you cruise along the journey of life. If things go wrong and bad things happen to you, do not blame others; blame yourself for making the wrong choices and decisions.