I have always fervently hoped that one day we may identify ourselves as Malaysians first, our ethnic identity second and that government policies are colour-blind. I find DAP's concept of 'Malaysian Malaysia' very admirable. But how far is it willing to practice what it preaches?

I think it would lend credence to its aspiration, and subsequently be taken more seriously, if it can elect a Malay or an Indian chairperson or secretary-general. Better still, they should elect a chairperson and two vice-chairpersons from each of the three major ethnic groups. One gets to helm the party (and the party's microphone) on a rotational basis. Until the day a Chinese can champion a 'Malay cause', or a Malay an 'Indian cause' and vice versa, this is the only viable stop-gap solution.

DAP should learn to reach out to the other ethnicities other than the Chinese. If DAP continues to rely its support exclusively on the Chinese population, it is assured of a shrinking influence over the population. This does not even count the competition from the other Chinese-based parties.

Its current policies are reactive, rather than proactive. It continues to use scare tactics to attract voters into its fold. It is doing a good job at revealing the various inadequacies, mismanagement, injustice, abuse of power, corruption, malfeasance and dereliction on the part of ruling parties, but it hasn't convinced us that it can do a better job.

It will never be taken as a viable alternative to BN if it continues its present course; unless of course they are contented to remain the opposition forever. As one letter writer pointed out, it needs to reexamine its aims and reinvent itself in order to stay relevant. PAS, on the other hand, is actively reaching out to the non-Muslim population, however unsuccessful it may be.

It is not difficult to be the most appealing political party in Malaysia. When everybody else is playing sectarian politics, the one that is inclusive to all Malaysians will have the advantage. All major political parties in Malaysia including the oppositions are hampered either by their ideology or perceived supremacy to be unable to accept a leader of different creed or ethnicity.

The first one to overcome its inertia will have a distinct advantage. Electing a chairperson of different ethnicity may only be a token gesture, but in the land of the blind, the one-eye jack is king. Let us not talk about non-Malay prime minister. If a party can elect a president or secretary general of an ethnicity different from its majority member, it would be a milestone in Malaysian politics.

A 'Malaysian Malaysia' is a very good idea, but let's start with a Malaysian party, then we can dream greater dreams. I see DAP and the newly formed Parti Keadilan Rakyat to be most promising. Will they rise up to the challenge? Or will we continue to stumble in the land of the blind?