Malaya attained independence from its colonial masters on Aug 31, 1957. The chapter of a new beginning was before us.

There was an official grouping known as the Alliance party comprising Umno, MCA and MIC.

Our forefathers only had to build on and improve the administration for the betterment of the society, with institutions that were already in place.

Sometime in the 1980s the Barisan National was born. Racial lines were drawn, hatred and mistrust sown.

The turning point came in 1998, when Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from his post as deputy prime minister and incumbent prime minister.

The situation gave rise to a new movement - reformasi or reformation movement.

After he was successful in his appeal on his conviction, Anwar made a return to politics. He was elected as a member of parliament on a sacrifice made by his wife, who had under trying circumstances, held the fort in his absence.

We see now the dawn of a new awakening in our political road map. We can look forward with hope that as a nation of tolerant people, we would be able to face any crisis.

We are a mature society. We do not subscribe to the school of thought of creating or causing a revolution. We know that the "ballot" is more powerful than any bullet made by man.

We have our native intelligence and our acquired intelligence which we will apply, with reason and wisdom, to bring about change, by evolution.

With the lessons learned by Anwar, and with the current cooperation within the Pakatan Rakyat, we hope that our leaders will no longer take the path of racialism and embark on the path of nationalism. They must now bring to realisation a modern civilisation.

The winds of change are definitely blowing in the right direction. And we hope against hope that our leaders will lead with a compassionate soul.