Having one vision is for the common good. Different ideologies can flourish so long as they contribute to the common good and not work against it.

Malaysians have voiced their desire for the common good by voting for DAP, PKR, PAS, PSM and DPM and expecting them to deliver that which they felt the Barisan Nasional failed to deliver.

The word ‘common’ is defined as ‘belonging equally to the public or the people’. Since the people of Malaysia are the Orang Asli, Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians Dayaks, Kadazans and others, the commonality is that we are all multi-cultural Malaysians.

The commonweal is the wealth of all the multifaceted contributions made by all Malaysians. Unity and identity lies in this peculiar coexistence to live and let live without any one dominating over another.

The first task is to abolish the obnoxious dichotomy of ‘bumiputera versus non-bumiputera’. This kind of language, still being used by the newly-elected coalition, should be cremated and put to rest once and for all.

The newly elected coalition, still a parliamentary opposition, should reflect this new identity based on the commonality of the people. Just as the people would live and let live so should the different parties of the coalition. The new coalition need not coalesce into one entity. They do not have to whip members into falling in one line. The voice of the common good can be expressed in many ways.

They should also preserve their identities but their ideologies will have to be tailored for the sake of the common good. No single party should impose its ideology on the others. The Barisan Nasional for fifty years had been lording it over the people with power and greed. A lot of people have said ‘no more’ to them.

In order to distance itself from the Barisan Nasional it should not call itself the Barisan Rakyat. The Barisan Alternative came to nothing. The name Barisan is too closely associated with the current government.

They need to forge a new name reflective of the new identity that is coming alive in the people – something that expresses unity in diversity. Perhaps a nationwide competition with an attractive prize for a new name should be held so the people cast their votes for a new name for all of the above parties so long as it does not have the word ‘barisan’.

The New Dawn and the New Economic Agenda should also herald a new vision and a new name because many people are seeing the beginning of a new reality on the political horizon.