Hot on the heals of the controversial conclusion of the Umno 65th general assembly - the following day, the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) held its 61st annual general assembly.

Party president M Kayveas’s speech merits a revisit from both sides of the political divide, minus the fear or favour as well as without pride and prejudice.

At a time where entrenched political battles are being fought along racial and religious lines, Kayveas’s concluding remarks, “All races are important to Malaysia and my message is keep Malaysia in your heart and keep your heart in Malaysia” is a more than a healing balm.

Despite what certain politically-aligned media may choose to report, politicians and their sworn followers must pause and take inventory of PPP’s positioning stance.

Kayveas sensibly cautioned that, “No race should fear each other (and) we should support and protect each other”.

The message was timely and clear. And anyone - politicians, paid stooge or blind followers, must pay heed to the fact that “gone should be the days politicians make themselves wanted or invite popularity by playing up racist sentiments. Instead speak to make Malaysians live happily together and provide an environment of happy Malaysians.”

This sense of solidarity that weaved in a cohesive manner the PPP’s leader’s speech steered party members to be “proud to be Malaysians”. He did not see the party members as Malays, Chinese or Indians. Instead he encouraged them with that stark reality that seems to plague the Malaysian political landscape aided by the aligned media in the country.

“Let us not as fellow Malaysians (allow) ‘Nay’ sayers to twist the facts and be an impediment for progress.”

With courage to call a spade a spade, he did not mince his words or speak in parables either.

“It is time to shift our paradigms back to a positive one, hence today, I would like to touch on the important issues for Malaysians from a positive angle.”

His focus was on race, religion, politics, economy, peace and unity as he outlined in a brevity of words what every Malaysian can easily relate with.

For our extremists and overly ambitious political factions, they should stop in their do-or-die political pursuits and reflect.

As wisely emphasised by Kayveas, Malaysians must take advantage of their multicultural uniqueness. Instead of segregating, Malaysians would be better in the world by mastering all four key languages. So why are we fighting over which language is more superior?

In a climate everything is being reduced and even downgraded to religious sensitivity, Kayveas urges that “each and every religion has clearly taught respect for each other hence it cannot be religiously correct to fight over religious issues”.

‘A catalyst for Malaysians to live in harmony’

Yes, politicians and their die-hard followers must shift. “Religion should be the catalyst for all Malaysians to live in harmony (and) not the other way round.”

His urging for a “merit based politics rather than one of slander” offers Malaysia a way forward which all political parties would do well if they embrace this strategy in quick time.

In politics, “We grow on our strengths (and) not (on) the failures of others” and that is a spot-on truth that should not be sidelined by our blinkered politicians.

His urging for peace and unity to be the “higher priority over religion, race and politics” must be taken seriously by Umno, MCA, MIC, DAP, PKR and PAS.

Yes, taking the PPP party president’s speech into cognisance, we must let sense and sensibility prevail. The nation has been bleeding since the last two general elections. We certainly cannot go on and on harping on faults, misdeeds and condemnations.

While we need to correct what is wrong and applaud what is right and good, we can ill afford a nation being ruled by extremists.

It is time to bridge the gaps and let a convergence of strengths from all sides of the divide in order to prepare for the next general election in 39 months - or perhaps even sooner.

Hopefully, we will rise from our hurt and injured feelings and help put the nation back on an ethical pathway into the future as the world prepares for a financial and economic meltdown.

Last but not least, let not our sworn allegiance to any political party blind us from seeing and appreciating the timely words of hope and direction from the Peoples Progressive Party.

Pray we will be guided by a three-pronged strategy, namely “Positive mind, positive words, positive actions... in order to be better, in order to succeed, in order to be peaceful, (and) in order to be happy Malaysians”.