I believe in a Malaysia that is unafraid. Unafraid of its strengths, its shadows and possibilities.

Unafraid to allow itself to think, act, talk and laugh in a human voice that is open, natural, and uncontrived.

Let us build mosques beside temples and churches. Let the Imam's call to prayer harmonise with Kuan Yin's gentle chants, Christ's gospel and Krishna's fragrant incense.

Believe in the right of others to belief or disbelief. We can never be more tolerant than the Prophet, more loving than Christ, or closer to nirvana than the Gautama.

Burn our party cards and create true people movements. And in true democratic grace allow the bigots their airtime and FRU-free demonstrations.

Incite change, provoke ideas, speak with passion, then take quiet tea breaks with our opponents, for we are one.

Discover feelings of nationhood from within, true, perhaps unsure, but not incited by obscure cliches from prime-time national media.

Leave our cultural excess baggage before we enter and let us spare some room for compassion and self-doubt, for we are only human.

For a day think, and if possible, feel like a Malay/Chinese/Indian/Orang Asli. Feel what it is like to see progress pass by. What it is like to be a red IC exile, a second-class ticket holder on a first-class express.

Feel what it's like to be poor. Standing at the back of a surreal ever-lengthening queue, while the privileged weaves in and out with their bags of gold before our eyes.

Feel the pain of the cold affirmative policies. For there is something fundamentally unjust when we create a new wrong to right an old one. Despite our brilliance and drive to build the tallest, the longest, the deepest etcetra, etcetra, we lack the imagination to deal with the injustices equitably.

Let us dismantle the unaudited race-based privileges. Hold out a helping hand to anyone in need. Anyone.

Reject the elitism of the sons of the soil. Create a new lexicon for a Malaysian nation. One that draws its strength from the people. That incites without imposing. One that unify not divide.

Let us declare May13th a day of reconciliation. A day to reflect on our past, who we are and the Malaysia that we want. Let us hold hands, open our hearts and cry with joy.

Let us demolish the steel and glass minarets that punch the stratosphere. Instead let us build bridges across the racial divide and touch our common humanity.

See the Ali Baba and his 40 thieves pass by in their slick Mercedeses while poverty and injustice lurks behind the glossy economic indicators.

No refund policy

Money is good. But the price tag on our shrink-wrapped self-respect is too high. Check your bill and read the no refund policy.

Don't bribe the policeman then shout corruption and cronyism at the ruling elite. We get the elite we deserve for they reflect our values and compromises.

Take a number and join the queue. Fill in our application forms and wait our turn. Forget the shortcuts. Let our children see ethics in action.

Reclaim our nation. Let us put back justice in our judiciary, governance in our government and our voices in parliament.

Let us repeal the ISA and other repressive laws. Instead let us legislate governance and accountability.

Shed light in the dark crevices where shady men do deals. Bring in a few good and honest women and men to fight for the right and protect the disadvantage.

Legalize communism, abortion, marijuana, dirty dancing, witchcraft, fire-crackers, cyber sex, _______, _______ (fill in the blanks). Then discuss and debate their merits and demerits and let us, the people, decide.

Don't worry. We will survive and be stronger. For we have faced our demons. Censorship postpones the inevitable. Where there is harm, give counsel and guide, with love and respect.

Let us have an annual gay and lesbian Mardi gras with its fire-breathing transvestites in leather boots. It is time to embrace all creeds we have marginalised through our prejudices and revel in the multitudes that we are.

Great nations take risks. Be brave and take the path less trodden, together.

Question everything. Be immune to propaganda yet hold true to the right of others to stand on that soapbox. Listen with an open heart and mind and allow ourselves to understand, and maybe be convinced.

Maintain our rage. As rage fuels a sense of purpose as it did for the Beijing youth that stood before the mighty Chinese tank. Stand firm before the water cannons and baton charge because freedom has its price.

Encourage our young to learn another language and speak it with pride as others do yours.

Most of us are closeted bigots. Beneath our thin liberal progressive exterior, we frown upon our child/friend who chose to marry outside our race. Give us the turbaned mullahs anytime for they are at least honest of their bigotry.

A nation is a community of conversations. Real leaders will listen to the national chatter and lead by its sheer simplicity and power.

We have enough mediocre men with great vision. Give us visionaries who can lead. Leaders who are vulnerable like us and unafraid to reach out and learn from the people. The courage to make mistakes, admit the wrongs and show grace in victory.

Who can look beyond the scripted glib and speak to us of dreams in an open and honest voice. Unafraid to show their humanity and to inspire.

It is also time we demand our goreng pisang and the rights to eat it. And we want enough for all Malaysians. No quota. No permit.

Nurture nature

Let us be gentle to our land, rivers, forests and inhabitants. Our emotions are reflected in the flow of the stream. Our spirits etched on the calcified streaks of the rocks. And our fears echoed by the cries of the lost honey bear. Nurture them for they are a part of our emotional ecosystem.

Keep a Malaysian flag ready for the day the dictator and his henchmen fade away. And we can once again dance as a free people on the streets.

Let us elect a Malaysian prime minister descended from proud migrants. She may be more competent, human and inclusive than the so-called son of the soil.

Be unafraid. Voice our fears, celebrate our diversity and let our hair loose. Let us define our own Malaysian reality.

ABU BAKAR is a Sydney-based writer and management consultant. A carpet-bagger, he is an incurable idealist with a passion for social justice and fish curry. He writes introspective footnotes and dreams of an open, honest and confident Malaysian Malaysia.