Let us return to the Malaysia we once had

In his opinion piece, R. Muralitharan praises the article "What are we as Malays uniting for?" for its focus on the misuse of the idea of "Malay unity" by politicians for political gain. Muralitharan believes the writer's concern is not with the Malay community, but with leaders who exploit racial sentiments for their own benefit.

The writer takes the reader back to the 1970s, a decade he nostalgically recalls as one where Malaysians lived like one big family, respecting each other's cultures and sensitivities. However, over time, political narratives shifted, and racial tensions grew, leading to divisions that are far from the original Malaysia's unity. Muralitharan does not blame the Malay community for this, instead blaming the leaders who chose to speak in racial terms, causing society to respond along racial lines.

He asks what Malaysians should unite for now, suggesting that instead of turning back the clock, we should restore the values that once held us together. Muralitharan outlines three key points for unity: a shared social contract, an inclusive economy, and leadership that unites, not divides. He concludes by asking what Malaysians are uniting for, emphasizing the need for a unity that includes all communities in the country's future.