No Artificial Colouring. Preservatives Needed.

First off, one needs to be blind (figuratively) so that the first part of the sentence qualifies as true. Let's look at the second part. Not much are being done/planned to preserve what we have today and to forge ahead to achieve what there is to achieve.

One would say, "See? We have this bill (or here) and that Act." But are these being carefully and fairly debated? Are there loopholes or missing aims? Is the soon-to-be-set-up commission really an independent one? Quoting a minister: "...absolute power corrupts absolutely". I can't help but think that phrase reflected the events of March 8. Then there's the Race Relations Act which, on conjecture, may be used to prevent any open and mature dialogues as well as to shut up blog posts deemed inflammatory. If that is so, we already have (existing) laws against such a thing.

Remember that punishments are never meted out fairly and as Azmi Sharom aptly summarizes:

"...my main concerns are three-fold: an equal opportunities law will not work in a legal system with an institutionalised system of discrimination; the application of laws in this country does not appear to be fair; and there is always the possibility that a Malaysian Race Relations Act will serve only to chip away the few chances we have at any sort of mature public dialogue.
We have problems in this country. Perhaps the way forward is to openly debate such matters in an intelligent fashion.
It is not speech which causes problems after all; it is the irresponsible few who threaten people with violence and fire bombs who are the real threat.
And we have laws aplenty to deal with such elements.
That is, if those laws are ever used against the real
perpetrators."

My friend Paul from The Philippines said of his country:

"I'm really hoping that in our presidential­ elections on 2010, there will be a soul who would be a caring father/mothe­r to our country. What we need now is a parent figure who will see this country's best interests.

I hope things are better there in Malaysia. After all, I've always seen your country as a good example of a country that has transcended through time and has rapidly improved in many years.

I've had the privilege of touring your country several times
and i can't tell you enough how lucky you really are to have such a good
countrysure there are also skirmishes on the side but the things you call bad in
there are already some of the good points of the situation here.

Sigh, I really hope change would happen soon."

Others are still able to make the good out of the current situation in Malaysia and I surely hope that the remnants of good feelings and the muhibbah dan perpaduan which we proudly preach and try to uphold these years be well preserved. Now, let me tell you that I'm sick of the kettle calling the pot black - putting the blamea on the other group, thinking one is so clean and sincere. Like in Paul's case, people do get sick of rhetorics and here, we show them the door - the corrupts, bigots, racists, sexists and the like.

So, add preservatives if you want but do it with a sincere heart. We welcome all things beneficial for the country. After all, there's no place like home. And by home I meant Malaysia.