LETTER | It is reassuring to hear our 10th prime minister thunder again about eradicating racially divisive politics.

Anwar Ibrahim said that “after facing various life challenges and assuming the role of the prime minister”, he pledges to serve and lead all Malaysians regardless of race or background (Cooperate and negotiate to help people of all races, don’t just complain: Anwar; Scoop, April 26).

He said racism should be shunned and the dignity of all races should be elevated to make Malaysia successful, robust and great again.

We must credit the coalition government’s leadership for its courage to openly confess that despite over six decades of self-determining political power, our nation is still chained to the bondage of racism and religious divisiveness (or better understood as “religious sensitivities”).

More than asking the opposition to work with the government of the day to fight off this deadly apartheid poison of racism spiked with ridiculous claims of religious sensitivities, the government must now pluck the courage to vigorously and surgically do away with the politics of destruction.

Only if Anwar succeeds in the months running up to the 16th general election, can he be sure of retaining a stronger, willful, new coalition government arising from the polls.

It therefore calls for the enactment of a political philosophy. To say that we are not ready is to surrender to the racism and religious bigotry that continues to be the mantra of well-heeled political parties.

It calls for serious policy reforms.

Take action

In showing the seriousness of the prime minister’s desired determination, we should ensure that the following is implemented with driving force.

Do away with salutations that divide the attendees by race and religion.

Abandon the nationwide, rhetoric, and derogatory, tradition of greetings with “Muslim and non-Muslims” or “Malays and non-Malays” and just say “citizens of Malaysia”.

Abolish the racially skewed quota system for education and jobs. Use instead meritocracy, poverty lines and national human capital projections as yardsticks for entry qualification or recruitment.

Make it illegal and strictly punishable for politicians to use racism and religious divisiveness for the furtherance of their political interests.

Review and reform the safeguarding of cultural needs, religious obligations and traditions to a healthier bar that can support the creation of a united nation of people.

Start by reining in the countless little Napoleons in all ministries and government-linked agencies with immediate dismissals for those wilfully straying from the new norms of a truly united nation.

If Anwar can carry out the above few suggestions, for certain a wave of renewed vigour will sweep through the country and he will be celebrated as the “Legend of Malaysia”.

Otherwise, he may have to suffer the label of “The Cicero of Malaysia”.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.