I refer to the letter Forget Obama, why don't you all start speaking BM? I must say I share a point or two of what the author tried to convey.

In this age of Barack Obama and the clamour in Malaysia for racial equality and such, it is obvious to see that the clarion call for this progressive society comes mainly from the non-Malays. The call, even though how valid it may sound, does raise the ire of some factions of the Malay community.

And I am not blaming the Malays’ cynicism and doubts at these calls. Time and time again, more prevalent after the March 8 election, there are calls for us Malaysians to be treated as equal, with no divisive policies along racial lines.

I myself wholeheartedly express support for this call, but upon further examination I have come to the view that to get to the 'promised land', all who call himself or herself Malaysian must sacrifice for the cause.

Indeed, it has been clear for all to see that the Malays are being favored in the policies implemented by the current government. To undo all this unfairness, there have been calls for a more open distribution of the economic pie, more meritocracy, a change of mindset - all of which take away a large chunk of privileges accorded to the Malays.

Being a Malay myself, I cringe at the thought of my race being unable to survive without the ‘cane’ of government intervention. A proud Malay should abhor the notion that we are weak and need help at every juncture. But let’s put aside this argument for another debate.

The point I am trying to raise here is that amongst these calls for a Bangsa Malaysia, comes the notion that a lot of privileges are to be taken away from the Malays. Fair enough. But a Malay in all fairness has the right to wonder what will the other races bringing to the table?

A hot topic is the perceived lack of command of Bahasa Malaysia amongst the non-Malays. Is it not fair that in calling for a Bangsa Malaysia , an individual must first and foremost uphold the essence of what defines a Malaysian?

If a common language is deemed not important as a factor for integration, that a strong Bangsa Malaysia can exist without a common tongue tying us all, then I must strongly disagree.

Could Barack Obama have won the US presidency if he spoke English with a thick Kenyan accent? I doubt it. What all Americans saw before them was a person that is one of them, that shared their beliefs and understands their insecurities. And like it or not sharing the same language is what makes them 'one'.

A bold move is to call for the abolishment of all venacular schools, and start enforcing Bahasa Malaysia as the medium of instruction in our schools. This simple call will certainly be met with intense opposition by the same people who champion the Bangsa Malaysia concept.

But if our non-Malay friends are not able to do their part in the setting up of Bangsa Malaysia , then please do not blame the Malays for holding on tightly to what we have now, how degrading the ‘canes’ turn out to be.

Has one ever felt the isolation and insecurity of not being able to understand what others around him or her are talking? Sadly, I am feeling that way everyday at work. And seriously, it feels of segregation, of being left out, of distrust - certainly not one of unity and integration.

And certainly not the way going forward for a Bangsa Malaysia .