As Hari Kebangsaan or National Day draws near, the media feature many stories and articles about our ability to live together in Malaysia, despite difference and diversity. A discernible thread through all these features is that our harmony is an evolving process.

In terms of analyses and even public policy, however, this capability of the vast majority of Malaysians to live together is a 'given'. Many analyses and policies take for granted this multi-layered and evolving capability, and focus mostly on the problems - such as racial polarisation, or episodes of friction and insensitivity over religion.

There are laws and policies which prescribe our engagement across race and religion in Malaysia - it has to be sensitive, sensible and sane. These prescriptions have been important in enabling our peace.