Mukhriz Mahathir's idea of a single school system is good for Malaysia, provided we are able to plan it, and implement it well without any form of bias towards any group of Malaysians.

Most opposition to the idea have come due to the inherent fear that each group will lose even the little they have in a system that will be dominated by the majority to its own advantage.

At the same time, Malaysians talk about an Obama in Malaysia, when a candidate from a minority group will be accepted by the majority of Malaysians as the prime minister. How will this be possible, when our minorities wish to have their own identities and are suspicious of the majority's motives, but hope to get its support to enable a minority candidate to become the PM?

Merely amending the constitution to allow a minority candidate to become a PM or deputy PM will not bring any change, as, in a democracy, the majority of the voters must accept the candidate as their leader. After more than 50 years of independence, I can't see any non-Malay leader who has grown in stature that the majority of the Malays will accept as their leader.

Of course, the race-based political parties want to champion all matters that are race-based, including the schools. We can go on for another hundred years in this format, and there will be no change in the ethnic relations amongst the races.

If there was some sort of unity in the former English medium schools for those who came through the system irrespective of race, why was that model not taken as the best model for all Malaysians? The nation-builders - our leaders - have bungled badly, all because they were very comfortable with the divisions in the nation.

In 1967 itself, during a seminar at Universiti of Malaya, a single school system idea was mooted and discussed; but the politicians did not bother to listen. The divide and rule policy has served the politicians well, and the Malaysians are so divided now that it is not surprising at all that Mukhriz's idea gets a bashing.

Having classmates of all races, and partaking in school activities together with Malaysian teachers and administrators of all racial origins, where all are treated equally with respect and decorum, will create real Malaysians.

What we need is a system where the core subjects are taught in the same medium, with mother tongue education given to all under the same roof. With the growing importance of English, some subjects can indeed taught in English, while some other subjects can be taught in the national language.

And provisions can be made that a credit in the national language and English be compulsory to pursue higher education. If there is a will to make this policy decision, we will see a positive surge from all towards the language proficiency in our country.

There is talk of the efficiency of the Chinese schools as against the national schools but if there is a will the same efficiency can be brought about in all Malaysian schools provided proper administrative steps are taken and a proper control is in place without political interference.

Actually, an independent commission that has a proper representation should handle our education system, as it is a form of investment for our future generations. Elected representatives may not have the vision needed to handle the education system for the nation.

At present, we are gambling with the future of Malaysians by exposing them to sectarian formal and informal education that are poisoning the minds of the young against each other - as each is trying to emphasise its superiority against the other, without giving any thought to the concept of Malaysia.

Recent surveys have proven that more and more Malaysians are mixing only within their races, except for economic activities, and the number is growing at an alarming rate. Although the school system is not the only factor that has brought this about, it must be emphasised that the proper exposure at a young age will dispel prejudices against each another; and a single school system is one of the most important factors to bring about an integrated Malaysia.

Unfortunately, the politicians have become very self-centred or party-centred, that they are afraid to lose their power base that is closely knit with the emotions of the races. The educators and academics can't make decisions as most are sponsored to high offices by the politicians in power.

So, I don't think that Mukhriz's idea will be dealt with in depth at the highest level for the good of the nation as those in power will think of the next general election - not the next Malaysian generation.