I refer to Malaysiakini report Change has come to America.

It is indeed a very proud and historic moment for all Americans. They have broken away from the shackles of racial and communal enslavement to elect a person for his character, ability and vision and not for the colour of his skin.

He is seen as a knight in shining armour who can lead the American people out of the present predicaments facing the country.

Many countries have a good lesson to learn from this unprecedented choice of selection in the world's largest economy on whose imports many countries depend upon for their own well-being and progress.

It brings to mind our very own multi-racial country of predominantly Asian descent. The way the racial and religious game is being played here by the leaders is really astounding.

All the speeches, promises and assurances are mainly lip service to appease the people or just short-term solutions.

It took the Americans almost 50 years to change their mindset and take this bold step to break the tradition of 'whites only' in high-profile government positions and corporate leadership.

Malaysia had the same number of years of since independence to inculcate and bring about a Malaysian way of thinking. But what have we got to show in terms of unity except for some cosmetic concert shows, hand-outs and paid-for advertisements?

There were efforts made to bring about unity but when it was no longer found to be a government priority it just fizzled out within a short time. And from thereon, race, religion, ‘supremacy’, threats, outsider, intruder, etc, were found to be easy motivating factors for all the wrong reasons to keep the races apart and get us to look upon each other with suspicion.

There was a ray of hope with Anwar's 916 assurance. Though not totally lost, it may take a bit more time to pave the way for this kind of change.

The longer we wait, the longer and more difficult it will be to change with more indoctrination being spread. There are already clears signs of protectionism and resentment among the races that will only lead us further backwards as far as race relations are concerned.

Schools are seemingly used as fertile grounds to teach children that we are all different and cannot become one. There are clear signs of racial segregation in the schools when they should be the birth place for national unity.

Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' concept is a reality in America today. When will it be our day in Malaysia when Malaysian of all races can hold hands and say, ‘We are all one, your strength is my strength, your weakness is my weakness and we will help each other to grow and progress’?

That day, when it comes, we can then hold our heads high and proudly say, Change has finally come to Malaysia.