Malaysia has been a home to many people from different parts of the world for centuries. Through the intercourse of these various cultures and religions, our predecessors had started the process of globalisation, even before the word was invented. The ability of Malaysians to live together in relative peace and social harmony is by no means an accident. Our forefathers came to this land to seek a better life and they knew that in order to realize their dreams, they would have to eventually work with people of other origins.

It is because of this diversity in culture, religion and way of life, that they managed to build Malaysia into a moderately progressive country, with equally moderate religious and moral values. The interaction between the races might not be brilliantly dynamic, but it is truly unique. We live separate lives within our own community, yet we remain more or less, civil and respectful to each other. Common sense and pragmatism have guided us through the occasional inter-racial skirmishes and the nation's social fabric has remained relatively intact.

However, just like every rose has its thorns, our nation has its own group of opportunists whose ideas may topple this balance. These are the people who constantly highlight our differences and create false boundaries of segregation amongst various races and religions. They hide behind the shadow of communal politics, generating crisis to gain influence and control over their people.

Perhaps the concept of a united and singular Bangsa Malaysia may not be as elusive as we thought after all. People of various races and religions have been living together in this country for years. We must bravely accept the fact that there will always be differences between the various ethnic groups in Malaysia. However, we must not harp on this issue like the politicians do everyday. Each community has a similar set of values, which transcend race, religion and culture, and these are the shared values that we need to work upon.

Contrary to our leaders, I strongly believe that there is no need to reinvent our national identity because we have already had it for years. Through daily contact, each community has absorbed one another's culture. The real Bangsa Malaysia are the ones who can practice their own culture freely and yet at the same time, able to participate in each other's festivities to a certain extent.

The concept of a homogenous Bangsa Malaysia as purported by our leaders has thus been rendered obsolete. I hope that the articles in this web site will unveil the reality that has been shrouded from us all this while. Self-realization can only be achieved by assessing our own strengths, as well as our weaknesses. We have to be self-critical and take heed of our own faults and mistakes before we can truly make Malaysia work.

Whether we like it or not, Malaysia is on the verge of entering a borderless world, riding on the latest wave of globalisation. This tide of change will ultimately dissolve our identity into one single global entity. We can either enter this unified world without ever realizing our own unique identity, or we can march in satisfied and appreciative of what we already have.

Every Malaysian has a candle in their heart that comes in different colours, shapes and sizes. Yet these candles emit the same flame that will light the path for the whole nation. If each of us lights his or her candle, Malaysia will be a much brighter and colourful place to live in.

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