LETTERS: Malaysians got a hint from the prime minister that the 15th General Election is round the corner.
From now until GE15, we cannot allow self-serving politicians on both sides of the divide to take advantage of the current instability and damage the country in order to win elections.
They will use whatever means to win votes as it doesn't matter to them if their actions divide the nation even more.
They have no qualms about hopping from one party to another. Switching parties has become commonplace.
Hopefully, this behaviour will be a thing of the past should the anti-party hopping law be gazetted in time.
Sad to say that race has disconnected us, religion has separated us and politics has divided us. We cannot afford to go on this way as it will lead to disastrous consequences.
Rather than find common ground among Malaysians, such as racial harmony and national unity, ensuring good governance and the need for integrity, some politicians are bound to play the racial and religious card.
Their vitriol will again pit one race against the other. They will focus on issues that make Malaysians different, not what binds us together.
Let the actions of these shortsighted and selfish politicians not undermine the peace and harmony among people of various races, which we have built up since independence.
All is not gloom and doom. We do have a group of upright individuals who are concerned with the state of affairs in the country and have pledged to right the wrongs.
Malaysians should give these right-thinking individuals or groups a chance as they are not aligned to any political party.
The nation's wellbeing must be the main concern of Malaysians. Having said that, can Malaysians of all races come together and reject those who play the racial and religious card?
Can we not show that we care for our country?
Malaysians should take this opportunity to do what is right by booting out unscrupulous, racist, corrupt and opportunistic politicians, irrespective of their political affiliation.
To my fellow Malaysians — particularly the silent majority — I urge you to come out to exercise your right to vote when the time comes.
We should prepare ourselves mentally to face the challenges of who should govern our country for the next five years.
In a parliamentary democracy, it is the people who hold the ultimate power.
Every Malaysian should make it their duty and responsibility to come out to vote in the coming election, bearing in mind that every vote counts.
My wish is that the winding road leading to GE15 will not further divide our society, already fractured along religious, ethnic, political and racial lines.
The long-term interest of our country must come first. So, when the time comes, please vote wisely Malaysians.
DR POLA SINGH
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times