For many reasons, Malaysia and Malaysians are on edge. Why? These are the reasons as I see them.

1. The world economy is in recession and we must gird ourselves for the pains and agonies that will follow. This is also the time of opportunities, if leaders rise to the occasion and tackle the impending problems head-on. Failure to see the writing on the wall is to head the nation into depression.

2.This is the time when both sides of the political divide - BN and Pakatan Rakyat - will have difficult choices to make. Going by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's policy of change against Republican candidate John McCain's desire to have more of the same Bush policies, we Malaysians should also ask ourselves whether we should stick to the old policy of the BN or take a different course led by Pakatan Rakyat. As the days go by, it is becoming clearer that people are favouring a change of direction. People are crying for change because they have suffered enough. The old ways simply do not work anymore.

To effect change, the BN component parties must examine themselves and ask whether they should shift gears and take the road that leads to prosperity for the people.

Finally, it is the people who want change and leaders must take heed of that call. Failure to listen to the people will result in BN parties being sidelined and sent to oblivion. When something does not work, then they must try other ways. Being bigoted and recalcitrant will not do. They must move with the times of the current season.

MCA, Gerakan, MIC and even Umno in West Malaysia had seen their fortunes falling like ten pins in the March 8 general election. Trying to re-invent, re-engineer, re-form within will not work, for they have lost the support of the people at large.

It is self-delusion to think that they can change their clothes and all will be fine. It will not be fine. People want change and they want it now. Time is running out.

3. A new dawn is appearing on the horizon. Those who see the sun will know that a new morning will come, sooner than they think. Seize the golden opportunities for yourselves, your children and your grandchildren.

There is no better time than the present. Time is running out. Take the life-boat before it leaves the harbour.