Turn the pages of some of our mainstream newspapers, especially the vernacular press and you can be assured that a variety of news items daily will upset all right-thinking and peace-loving Malaysians.

And all this as we are about to celebrate the nation's 50th Independence, a ceremony we religiously host year in and out, despite the sea of arrogance, racist comments and the belittling of various communities who are part and parcel of that independence struggle.

If the nation's founding fathers were around today, they will be totally shocked at what is happening in the country they fought so hard together to achieve independence for. Just weeks before the National Day cerebrations, we continue to have 'apple polishing pieces' to threats hurled at the country's alternative media practitioners the bloggers.

You will also read of impatient politicians from diverse platforms all issuing warnings and fanning racial and religious sentiments while a silent but powerful cross section in the administrative divisions do further damage to the rights and interests of minorities groups with their obsession of placing hurdles for them in the business and government opportunities sectors.

Still others threaten any one who questions them with the outdated and notorious Sedition Act which is punishable by up to three years imprisonment and a fine of RM5,000.

So I am indeed extremely delighted that it is in this context, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah saw it fit to remind all and sundry in the Malaysian political sphere that they should understand that the country's independence was achieved through the unity of all the major races.

That only through unity, the sharing of political power Malaysia was able to gain independence from the British without bloodshed, a fact selectively forgotten by a large proportion of our politicians in their obsession and greed for political power.

The Sultan in his 'no holds bared speech' reminded all of us that Malaysia is where she is today because of the blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice of all Malaysians be they Malays, Chinese, Indians or the other ethnics groups.

We fully agree with the Sultan that Islam was the country's official religion and its position must be respected and that Muslims must respect the religions practiced by other Malaysians. Personally, I must say this would include not putting hurdles in the way of these religious group's applications to build or extend their religious houses!

As a consumer advocate of more than three decades, I pray that the Sultan's advice to all politicians and to the civil service to address corruption, bureaucratic red tape, race relations, religious intolerance, the brain drain, the rising crime index and the environment will be well-heeded.

We fully agree with our beloved Sultan that this country belongs to all Malaysians regardless of their race and everyone here has a right to feel Malaysians and that this should be emphasised as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our nation's independence.

Anything less will not serve the long term interests of the nation and will threaten the rights, interests, vision and security of all Malaysians.

The writer is president, Consumers Association of Selangor and Shah Alam .