Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's call to Malaysians to accept the national school system to build a united and solid Malaysian nation at the recent opening of Penang Umno Education Convention 2003 at Dewan Millennium is laudable.

He stressed that public confidence in the national schools must be restored and the schools should emphasise academic excellence.

I agree with his calling, but such 'calling' is not easy to implement as said since Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious nation with different 'priorities' of different groups.

I believe a "solid Malaysian nation" can o­nly be achieved if we can have the same standard for every citizen in the country, and not place o­ne group of people or belief above the other.

In other words, we must try our best to give the same benefits and the same opportunities to every citizen according to their "advantage and disadvantage" in the country. We cannot ask some group to be rational or to be responsible when our system does not 'provide' the same benefits and opportunities to their youth.

It is understandable that when a nation is "segregating" the citizens according to their race and beliefs, the less advantaged groups will have to find a way to fend for

themselves.

Malaysia has been independent for almost 50 years, and I think, it is time for Malaysia to seriously think if some of our laws which were written earlier to suit the social and political conditions at that time warrant a review. For example, the racial ratio is no longer the same. It is no longer necessary to make any group a 'priority' above the rest of the citizens.

The main thing is, as a 'solid Malaysian nation', we should not question any group because we are 'bangsa Malaysia' and are very proud of it as we all do have the same desire - to build a strong 'one nation'.

The people should now be grouped in the 'advantage or disadvantage' categories and be given help accordingly. This is to enable everybody to grow together in peace and harmony and be a happy nation o­nce again. Public confidence can be restored o­nly when there is equal opportunity to all citizens.