COMMENT This is how it is done. This is how the world's best democracy works.

Australia showed the way last night in a simple leadership ballot vote and the results were announced in less than a minute. How many light years is Malaysia from achieving such democracy?

The truth is - real democrats don't brag about their democracy. The system and the people all uphold it. They live it - and that is why Australia and Western countries like Germany, France and the United Kingdom continue to be a magnet for migrants all over the world because they are among the world's true great democracies.

As Malaysia celebrates its national day tomorrow, will it reflect on its own democracy and make radical changes for the better instead of indulging in fantasy, empty promises and failed slogans?

In a leadership challenge last night, Australian Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull won a secret ballot among the 100-odd sitting Liberal members and senators of Parliament by 10 votes to clinch the leadership of the governing Liberal Party from incumbent Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Smooth, fair and civilised manner

What was remarkable about the change of leadership was the smooth, fair and civilised manner it was accomplished. Before last night there was media speculation a leadership spill was in the offing. Abbott did not sack anyone, many Australians would have gone to bed and woke up the next day to learn their country has a new leader.

How different is that to the self-acclaimed 'world's best democracy' that is bogged down in scandals and has brought shame upon the entire nation? I think Malaysia Day may be better used as a day of mourning for the nation, which has lost its way.

That's the beauty of Australia's democracy.

No one or group can manipulate the system to stay in political power, by hook or by crook. The system will not allow it and neither will the courts, the media, the people and the politicians themselves.

Australians understand their democracy, cherish it and leaders come and go and sometimes come back again, as we saw the political musical chairs played during the previous Labour government between Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, and now Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull. In the last leadership challenge, Abbott had won by one vote in defeating Turnbull, who was then the Liberal Party leader.

There are no hooligans and wild gangs rampaging across town in a veiled show of political force and threat to the country's peace and order and racist posters and subversive antics allowed to insult and incite to hatred. There is no treachery, no betrayal of the country and its constitution.

Not only are leadership changes peaceful and democratic, so too are government changes. Election time is not carnival time and places are not inordinately plastered with banners and posters that pollute the environment long after elections. The police have no role in politics and do not act like they are party members.

And in the Westminster Parliamentary System that is not unlike Malaysia's, the Governor-General representing The Queen ( same one as the UK's) can dismiss the government in a 'double dissolution' and call for fresh elections, as happened with the sacking of the Labour Whitlam government on Nov 11, 1975, dubbed the 'Dismissal' during the constitutional crisis.

In the kindergarten of democratic governance

This was how The Guardian reported the events leading up to last night's leadership ballot:

"Turnbull visited the prime minister shortly after question time on Monday and asked him to call a Coalition party room meeting for a leadership ballot to be held. Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop had already told Abbott – in a pre-question time meeting – that she believed he should stand aside. At that point Abbott is understood to have been strongly resisting the idea of a challenge.

"Turnbull resigned from cabinet and sought support from colleagues by pitching himself as the right person to lead Australia at a time of major economic changes.

"Turnbull accused the prime minister of being unable to provide the necessary economic leadership, and urged colleagues to support a new ‘style of leadership that respects the people’s intelligence’ instead of sloganeering.

"Abbott said he would fight the leadership challenge because Australia needed ‘strong and stable government’ and the prime ministership was ‘not a prize or a plaything to be demanded’.

"He said a Liberal Party room meeting on Monday evening would decide on the leadership and deputy leadership."

The rest is history. Well done, Australia!

You have set the world the example and for those who brag about their country's democracy but in truth are still in the kindergarten of democratic governance and deny their citizens the rights and freedoms of their democratic inheritance.

If Malaysia Day 2015 is not to be another futile day of empty chest-thumping and vain repetitions, the people must insist their government upholds the country's democracy and restores public confidence and not insult their intelligence by a style of governance that has strayed from the Merdeka nation and Malaysia nationhood ideals.

Quash all the unfair politically-driven charges against patriotic citizens. This is their day, their national day 16 days after the freedom celebration of Merdeka.

Redress the wrongs of national shame. Let Anwar Ibrahim go. Restore the lost legacy of Malaysia - the truly amazing nation of hope and dreams and prosperity for all. Destroy racism, lies and injustice.

Australia has shown how it is done and no wonder countless Malaysians call it home, though many will still remember their hijacked nation and spare a thought, a prayer for their nation cast adrift on Malaysia Day.

STEVE OH is the author of the novel ‘Tiger King of the Golden Jungle’ and composer of the musical of the same title. He believes in good governance and morally upright leaders.