Our beloved Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Chinese New Year message to the nation could not come at a better time.

It was a visionary and vintage Mahathir who spoke with affection, a sense of courage and conviction, proud that in Malaysia, the people of different races, religions and cultures live together in harmony.

However, the prime minister also warned, that this attribute, which has become part of the country's civilisation, is o­ne that Malaysians must nurture, practise and be proud of in the future.

As such, I cannot but seriously caution those young aspiring politicians who hold desires of political positions and power to read, mark and inwardly digest, the prime minister's words and advice.

I cannot but echo the clarion call of the prime minister that to protect "this civilised culture" we need to accept without reservations, our diverse racial and religious backgrounds, cultures and way of life.

The time has come for all of us to go beyond a sense of "tolerance" to truly accept o­ne another, in brotherly love, affection and in cordiality, showing the world over, our o­neness.

This is best initiated, at the grassroots communities, by the various state governments, providing grants to organise and motivate various cross-cultural, -racial and -religious activities, to foster an in-depth understanding of o­ne another's religious, racial and cultural views and traditions.

As such, it is also time that certain local government authorities and leaderships rid their "tunnel vision and political blinkers" and be brought into the loop, to play a more pivotal role in this agenda.

With the huge resources within their care and control, a great deal of good can come out in their involvement in grassroots programmes and activities at cross cultural and religious activities.

Mahathir was right - this is what Malaysia would offer the world, caught in a web of deceit, ethnic cleansing, war, turmoil, racial and religious outbreaks.

A sense of culture, dynamism, the overflowing wealth that is seen in a nation despite its various diversities.

While some nations clashed and disintegrated, others o­n the verge of disintegrating due to communal and religious strife, in Malaysia serious attempts are undertaken by a proactive government, to strengthen the strong brotherly bonds that bind us together, as Malaysians!

As Mahathir stated - we must "take pride, that such a culture has become part of the civilisation of our beloved nation".

It is true that the fact that we celebrate various religious celebrations in pomp and honour, does show that the Barisan Nasional policies have been correct and successful.

However, I must caution that for this reason alone, it is pertinent that all attempts be made, that o­nly, academically qualified, honest individuals with a proven record of service, who share the "vision of Malaysia's founding fathers", are placed in positions of political power and leadership.

And, those who have been in power for decades, but found to be self-serving and politically tunnel-visioned, be asked to retire graciously, while "aspiring younger leaders" who are found manipulating "racial and religious issues" to catapult themselves into power, be immediately chastised and sidelined, for the good of the nation.