I refer to the malaysiakini report Anwar's 'New Deal' to unite liberate all M'sians.

Anwar Ibrahim's or PKR's 'New Deal' for Malaysia is a refreshing and much welcomed approach to tackle the present and future challenges that our country faces. Although gimmicky in parts and far from the finished article, it is a step in the right direction to address some of the country's 'imbalances' for a better and resilient Malaysia.

It is definitely food for thought for us Malaysians who have been saddened by the current state of our union, but feel helpless or powerless to do anything about it.

At least there is a game plan being drawn up and let us have a healthy debate on the proposals raised and at the same time let us also observe our present leaders for their reaction. For at the coming elections, we must make the extra effort to choose leaders capable of taking us forward and not those who are intellectually bankrupt and unwilling to acknowledge our problems let alone take action.

This also includes those leaders living in Wonderland or still living in the past, and who fail to realise that without consistent and well-distributed economic growth and the promotion of meritocracy, the things that we take for granted will not come all that easily anymore.

A new deal in the context of managing a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country to face global challenges and remain relevant is what Malaysia badly needs. The 'old' deal may have previously worked but more of the same will now only paper over cracks when serious structural defects are occuring.

Malaysia may look good, but beneath the glossy paint job it has been given, is the structure of our nation an all-weather one?