All races in the country have to be blamed for not giving in to create a united Malaysia. We observe that each race seems to fight only for the rights of its people. This leads to a conflict of differences in the psyche of all races. When differences supersede similarities, it gives rise to greater conflicts and there is bound to be more friction in a society. It is also hard to live in diversity when one race regards itself as superior to another race.

For the country to be peaceful, people of all ethnic groups should be seen as equal and gainfully contributing to the politics, economy and culture of the country. The media should play a role in highlighting the rightful accomplishments and grievances of all races in the country to make all citizens feel that they belong to one nation and empathise with the unfortunate.

The fundamental unifying force of our nation – a multi-racial and multi-religious set up - is secular education, as only this approach would make Malaysians become more broad-minded and more tolerant towards each other. It is through secular progressive education – as opposed to a bigoted education policy – that Malaysians be able to live with dignity and possess the knowledge and sense of worth that would help uplift the social status of everyone irrespective of race or religion. Almost all nations in the world consider their education system as the most effective tool to unify their people.

Malaysia missed this opportunity when it first achieved independence. Whatever was agreed upon at that point in time and inked in the constitution was not pragmatic in the long-run. The people are still divided by the school systems we have which are national, vernacular and religious in nature. These are the divisive forces in our society. Even national schools are now allowed to be influenced by groups who want to change them to schools with a religious identity – marginalising and scaring away citizens of other religions.

Unfortunately, the government has not done enough to save these schools from these undesired elements. This lack of political will to secularise education and create a neutral education system has made the whole education scheme go sluggish and become increasingly unpopular.

When the education system itself is seen discerning, we circumvent by compelling our university students to understand race relations – an academic gimmick propagated by some hogwash academics and endorsed by some blinkered politicians. Race relations should start at the primary school level of children and be sustained throughout their schooling life. It does not start at the university level.

The most viable solution to generate genuine racial unity is for the country to get away with the different schools for different races and for all to embrace a national education policy that is secular and neutral.

Every child that enters a national school should be considered as Malaysian and be given equal rights and status as any other Malaysian. No school in the country should be exclusive for any single race or religion. Let our children grow up together from childhood to the university and into the working environment as true Malaysians – away from defining themselves according to our ethnic origin. The country has ample opportunities for all and those in power should not be prejudicial but go all out to tap and hone the talent of all the ethnic groups for the country’s long-term gain.

Many countries in the world have become melting pots for people of various origins when they end up speaking a common national language and sharing the same vision and mission for the nation. Malaysia should emulate this and chart a course where children of all races are taught to live together, treated as equal and sharing the same ideals in life for the good of our nation.

Regrettably, there is still inadequate political will for this to happen. Politicians are more interested in harping on the interests of their own race and religion to remain in power. Ironically though, they go on talking about Bangsa Malaysia to delude the people. We cannot go far with this kind of mindset, as this would destroy the fabric of our society that we have built thus far.

There has to be a political awakening among Malaysians before the country is destroyed by racial and religious discords. Neither would we want the country to be looked down and shunned upon by other countries. We want a peaceful Malaysia destined for all the people who have made this country their home - a vision of our revered Father of Independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and all rational-minded citizens.