There is currently much noise being made about nationality and communal adherence. The two cannot go together. Either one is a Malaysian or simply one not interested in and proud of one’s country but seeking advantage from the accident of birth. It really is as simple as that and for Malaysia to have any realistic hope of advancing to first rank country this obsession with race has to be abandoned.

Those who aspire to be granted the trust of the electorate to govern the country must understand that all are equal under the law and that there is no divine right of superiority attached to being born into a majority racial community. Pre-eminence, if desired, has to be earned and to be trusted by the electors it is vital to show a record of impartiality.

The categorisation of Malaysians prior to Independence as “Malay” or Chinese” or whatever else may have suited the colonial power to whom all non British were “foreigners” but those days are long gone. If we are still fighting for advantage by reason of birth or race we should be ashamed of ourselves. Apart from anything else it shows that we feel that we have no other asset to offer to get ahead in our lives.

Time for a change of mind. For a change of attitudes.