Unity is foreign

Since the independence of Malaya in 1957 and the formation of Malaysia in 1963, Malaysians are supposed to bind to their land and be united. However, unity is still foreign to Malaysia. It is difficult for Malaysians to be really united due to the fact that its formation was race based, adding the prejudices and stereotypes that causes Malaysians suspicious with each other. It is quite difficult to have real unity since there is still racism, followed by the political system which is race based, and the lack of political will to unite the different races in Malaysia. It is necessary to note that the main reason that disunites Malaysians is none other than political racism. As a matter of fact, Malaysians still cannot get away from racism. According to Oxford Dictionary, racism can be defined as ‘the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races’. It seems like racism is something which is deep-rooted among Malaysians. This happens because of the mind-set of the people that believe that their culture must be preserved because they do not want to lose their identity and roots. It is because of this kind of mind set that made them to distinct themselves from other people who are not of the same race or culture as them. This is especially significant when vernacular schools are allowed to be established. Children most probably do not know about race until they attended schools especially the vernacular schools. In the early days these vernacular schools in Malaysia were established by the Chinese and Indians and they use their respective languages in these schools. This kind of education system is still being practiced until today. Vernacular schools not only separate the three main races in Malaysia, they also indirectly promote racism. The children were confined within their own race and are not exposed to mix with