Come this Thursday, Malaysia will celebrate its 49th birthday as a free nation. We've grown to build our own identity from an unknown British colony into a reputable state. We've thrived well so far on the social contract agreed by our founding fathers. We boast to the world how we achieve integration and live in harmony by this formula.

Obviously, nothing is perfect. They've been glitches here and there throughout the years. Unfortunately, our dream of achieving a 'true' united nation is not becoming the reality we want it to be.

On paper, we have the best idea and the plans have always been jotted down meticulously. But uniting different races from different backgrounds is a difficult job. Integrating history and culture needs time and it does not help when we try to put ourselves as superior when compared to another.

It is a fact that on face value, we say that we are a single entity that being Malaysians. But this becomes hypocritical during the general election when politicians - either pro-government or pro-opposition - mess it up during their campaigning by harping on communal sentiments to gain support.

'Race for race' will ensure votes but not forge unity. That is the reality. At the end of the day, it is all about gaining votes to claim power. We tend to ignore this but that is what our 49 years of independence is about. Suspiciousness of what we do to each other is grilled into our heads since we were young.

We talk about justice and freedom to exercise our own rights but survival will always be human's main interest. It is why we are here in this world.

I would not blame Khairy Jamaluddin for uttering how when the Malays are weak, others may take the opportunity to stake their claim. We do it to them, therefore why shouldn't they do it to us? It is the core of our politics.

Khairy maybe a highly-qualified scholar but he's now living in Malaysia and that is how it goes. I'm sure that in the future; when the opposing side touches on this issue, it will be highlighted out of proportion to signal an open war. It's the same all over the world, democracy is just another mask to ascertain one's will to rule. A clever political tool to justify their actions.

I'm worried where we are heading now. The split this time may ruin the country by its domino effect. The world is becoming more dangerous and internal squabbling is music to the ears of those who seize open opportunities.

Happy birthday, Malaysia.