In the interests of race, religion and country. Time and again, we hear this quote, most notably from politicians and regrettably from those who are in government. It is a quote that smacks of duality if not hypocrisy.

To have faith in one’s religion is beyond question. Religion is a deeply personal thing and to abide by its tenets is a fundamental right.

Act in its interests by all means as by personal sacrifice; but no religion extols imposing its tenets and dictates upon others or to use religion as a means to differentiate, polarise, discriminate or even destroy.

In the interests of race? Nations around the world have moved forward from their ethnically diverse immigrant base to assimilation and integration.

This in the interests of their countries. Why has this simple concept been so hard to understand here?

We are as ethnically diverse a melting pot of cultures as any nation on earth if not more so. Blessed with a country that is rich in natural resources and virtually bereft of disasters. A corner of paradise.

But to ensure the continuance of this paradise, we have to act in the interests of the country, in the collective interests of all Malaysians that populate it. By acting along narrow parochial lines we will not only not be acting in the interests of the country but actively against it.

There perhaps exists this serious misconception that by not being united as a country we can remain strong in our individual ethnic groupings and that we will prevail as Malays, Chinese and Indians.

That by each of us hanging onto our racial boundaries and staking a claim to a slice of the pie that is the goodness of Malaysia, we will ensure we have that slice.

We’ll probably get that slice we’re each clamouring for, but fail to realise that the pie (small to begin with) is rapidly shrinking.

We seem to fail to realise that by each of us hanging onto our racial boundaries we will become a fractious, backward third grade economy at best, or tear ourselves apart in civil conflict, at worst.

Strong in our polarisation but bereft of true strength by any measure.

But if we worked in the interests of the country, we could be a strong, vibrant nation each sharing a slice of a burgeoning, growing pie.

Our collective strengths, creativity and energies, stoking the foundries that generate economic, cultural and personal growth.

A strong, vibrant nation populated by strong individuals, strong in their beliefs and having the strength to make a difference. Strong by any measure.

Demi negara - it is that simple.