The events hogging the Malaysian media lately paint a very unhealthy picture of Malaysia. Malaysia is now past 50 years old. With its early legacies of education, administration and economic management, it should now play a leadership role in the regional and international arenas in matters such as commerce, the environment and social development.

Instead, it is still fighting old and immature internal battles. At the recent general elections, Malaysians have given the alternative governments the opportunity to rebuild the country (albeit at state levels) but, by and large, done little more than fiddled around with rights to govern along racial lines.

To that extent, the opposition coalition has proven itself to be no different than the ruling government. I suppose that is a legacy of being ruled along racial lines for over half a century. However, surely there is sufficient education and exposure amongst the current crop of alternative leaders to rise above all that? Or is it beyond them?

Malaysia has been given the opportunity for reform. It should adopt a wide and broad-based attempt at reforms instead of sticking to old quarrels. Does Malaysia wish to stake its claim to a status of being a developed nation and play a leadership role in regional and international commerce, environment management and social development? Then it must consider reform from the ground up. It must bury racial politics for good.

It is not enough for PKR, DAP and PAS to speak merely of corruption, feudalism and nepotism. It must elevate fundamental issues to the fore of the reform agenda. What would it take to fix Malaysia’s ills in terms of education and competitiveness? What would attract talent instead of driving them offshore? What would it take to manage resources on a sustainable basis?

It should not matter what race a chief minister is, or what race the state executive council members are. The principles to ascertain who should be the chief minister or state executive council members should reflect the principles which would propel the nation forward.

These principles should provide a message to the region and the world which says Malaysia is ready to play a serious role. They should also let ordinary Malaysians know they are in for a great ride, which would bring them – everyone - forward. They should tell Malaysians abroad who are talented and can contribute, that the country is changing to make it more attractive to them and to others who are equally talented and hardworking.

I say to the leaders of PKR, DAP and PAS: come on guys, don’t throw away the chance. Seize it and think and act for the future of the country. Thinking along racial lines puts you in the category of BN Baru. That is not what Malaysians voted you in for.

PKR is not and must not be Umno Baru just as DAP is not and must not be MCA Baru. Please work together to put Malaysia back on track.