One would note that with the exception of Foreign Minister Rais Yatim, none of the other high-ranking ruling party members had anything positive to say about Barack Obama's victory to become the first black president of the US. Our opposition was all for it as it embraced the new politics of multiracialism where we are all seen as equal Malaysians.

Obama was overwhelmingly elected into office by the youth of America who today see beyond the colour of the skin but instead the depth of the character of a person who offers himself for leadership. Little did we ever think that a black man would make it to the White House one day but today a dream has been realised and democracy has made it happen.

It would not have happened if not for the fight to be treated as equals beginning with the US civil rights movement in the 60s. Similarly, if civil society had not started their street protests in Malaysia, we too would not have seen a strong opposition with the control of five states in the Peninsular today.

We can safely say that we are the only country left in the world that still insists on the practice of a race-based divide-and-rule policy which has failed to uplift the spirit and minds of the people of Malaysia but has instead made us more segregated physically and in mind.

Has the concept failed? Well, if that is openly discussed, it would invite trouble which we all don't want but can we learn from the Americans who have been the epitome of countries which are melting pots? Is the next Malaysian administration that is going to come to power an administration that can unite the people of Malaysia? Can it look beyond the colour of our skins, the religions that we believe in and take us for what we are?

The world will be looking at how we deal with our people's demand for more freedom and for better checks and balances in the way we govern ourselves. The continued usage of the ISA will be seen as a constant attempt by an unpopular regime which is trying to stay in power at all costs when its own people demand transparency and accountability in governance.

There is also the usage of other repressive legislation which muzzles the press - an institution which is slowly becoming a popular platform that checks the government's decisions and gives the people a voice.

Umno has to take this new development that is being experienced by the world's biggest economy as a sign that it has to open up and evolve or slowly be replaced by more unifying multi-racial parties with open-minded Malay leaders. Debates and campaigns on issues should be encouraged so that a new leadership continuously emerges from the party without fear or favour. The mundane ‘no-contest’ philosophy should be discontinued so that totalitarianism doesn't reign in the party.

The choosing of president-elect Obama shows that minorities are a major force in any nation and they should not be ignored or sidelined just because they are a minority. We might just miss the chance to harness the best minds for the benefit of the nation just because we believe that he or she has no place in a decision-making position because of the colour of his/her skin and the religion that they believe in.

We as Malaysians must be prepared to accept the contributions made by all Malaysians regardless of race or religion. Will we be able to accept a Chinese court of appeal president or an Indian chief judge of the High Court of Malaya? Is it still a pipe dream to think of seeing two deputy inspectors-general of police who are ethnic Chinese and Indian respectively? The reformist Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is showing the way, will the rest of the country follow?

Yes, Obama may only be a first generation African-American but we have to look at the opportunity that America gives to her people via the checks and balances that are in the US constitution and in the system of governance that they practice. We here are still being called immigrants despite being in the country for more that three generations and knowing no other place other than Malaysia as our home.

There are still raw nerves after the election results of March 2008 but the Malaysian people have still not abandoned the BN. They have given them a message and that is stop the racism and start governing fairly and equitably. If this cannot be comprehended and a harder racial tone is seen in the policy implementation of the coming new administration, then BN's eminent downfall will come sooner rather then later.

There are clear indications that the former menteri besar of the states of Perak and Selangor can't help but try their best to sabotage the current administrations just because they can't envisage the fact that non-Malay assembly persons have been given important portfolios in the state cabinet and the results are showing.

This is where we have a lot to learn from the US for whilst we talk about race and the involvement of the Israelis in American business and politics, we forget that we still patronise McDonald's, A&W, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Nike and all other US brands without fail.

We still send our JPA and Mara scholars to the universities in the US but at the end of the day we fail to learn from them. Instead, we take pains to spread the message to the gullible rakyat that a prime minister aspirant is an American agent! Isn't this hypocrisy?

The US has risen above race, being the largest melting pot in the world, and it has shown us the way how everyone should be equal before the law. The Creator had his intentions when he created us with our strengths and weaknesses so that we will seek one another and collectively unite for the common good. Will Malaysia rise above race, or will we be asked to wait for another 50 years for that to be implemented?

We started well beyond race when there was a Chinese finance minister and an Indian chief of the navy but all that are only memories of the past now. Such appointments will take an entire new generation with a completely different mind set.

That plus a generation of multi-racial parties and leaders who can communicate with all and look beyond the colour of our skins and the faith that we believe in.