I feel that Barisan Alternatif should not admit Prim as a component party [#1](Prim can join BA as 'unofficial party',[/#] Dec 4).

BA has been set up as a coalition of parties that do not segregate by race. I believe that this is one of the most important features of the coalition and is the only answer to a Malaysia that is free of racial prejudice.

For too long Malaysia and Malaysians have tolerated racial politics. The leaders who advocate unity in the races are unwilling to practise what they preach. The main BN parties, Umno, MCA and MIC are all segregated by race.

Instead of working for the betterment of all Malaysians as a whole, each is only interested in promoting the development of its race only. This is where the seeds of dissent are planted. If the BN is truly interested in promoting a Malaysia for all Malaysians, then it must drop racial restrictions within its main component parties.

Rather than the particular parties championing the "Indian race" or preserving the "Ketuanan Melayu" or fighting for "Chinese rights", it would be better for them to use this energy to fight the cause of the poor and the disadvantaged.

Instead of trying to outdo one another, unite the races to ensure a better Malaysia for all and not just a pocket of Malaysians.

I recently had a discussion with a group of BN supporters who felt that it was not yet time for the races to unite as people in Malaysia are not mature enough to accept a united Malaysia.

If not now, then when? When Malaysia becomes another Rwanda or Bosnia? By then it will too late.

If evidence is needed, I believe the last general elections and especially the Lunas by-election show that Malaysians are ready to accept a Malaysia without racial divisions. BN has to wake up and realise that the race card is not going to work anymore.

Tactics like the revolting advertisements they placed in the mainstream newspapers during the last general elections, playing on the fear of losing one's cultural identity as a means of ensuring the BN remains in power are no longer effective.

I must clarify that saying that I am Malaysian in no way means that I am giving up my cultural identity. That is what makes being a Malaysian unique.

Start now. Don't say that "we are a party fighting for the Indians". Instead, say that "we are a party fighting for the disadvantaged Malaysians, the estate worker, the padi farmers in Kedah or the pig farmers, regardless of race."

For this reason, until Prim is willing to champion the fate of all Malaysians and not only the Indians in Malaysia, they should not be allowed to contaminate the BA.

Hopefully, I will teach my children well enough to say "I'm a Malaysian" when asked whether they are Malay, Chinese or Indian.

Hopefully, if we all work together as Malaysians this will happen in my lifetime. But it will not be possible to expect the people of Malaysia to do this if their leaders are unable to do it.