Imagine having the MCA or MIC general assembly during the Hari Raya celebrations - it will be tantamount to political suicide if these component BN parties decide to do so. But we have the main party of the country, which actually rules and runs the country, carry on with its AGM on Deepavali day. What respect do they have for the Indian Malaysians?

When it comes to the Merdeka celebrations or tourism events, we see posters where all the three main races in the country are shown in various poses to show that we are really a very united country. But a small matter like Umno having its AGM on Deepavali can spoil years of effort and hard work by our leaders. Is Umno aware of this or has this been done because no other date could have been chosen?

Respecting the religious festivities of other races in the country beside Hari Raya is a must if Malaysia is really a multi-racial and multi-religious country that we portray ourselves to be. If the ruling elites do not show leadership by example, how do we expect the people to exercise religious tolerance?

The temple demolition in Rimba Jaya , Shah Alam, could have waited till after the Deepavali celebrations. Similarly the cordoning off of roads leading to a temple in Banting , where the leaders of the Hindraf movement were due to speak, could have also been called off as it was only a gathering of Hindus in their place of worship. It now looks as though Hindus, Christians and Buddhists have to inform the government as to what they are going to say in their sermons to their devotees.

The Abdullah administration has shown little or no concrete efforts to tackle issues which is threatening national unity and race relations. We cannot wait for a national-level racial catastrophe to take place before we act. If we really mean what we say, let's show it now.