I'm a parent of three young girls. I run a business that requires a fair amount of travel. I don't know which country has the best combination of the weather, political climate, economic conditions and social harmony.

What I do know, based on my limited observations, is that Malaysia is still by far the best country to live in. And which country does not have its weaknesses, its failures, and its share of occasional episodes of lunacy?

Of late, Malaysia is in the news for all the wrong reasons - the gruesome murder of a foreign citizen; racial understanding being stretched to its breaking point; political intrigues and scandals that would provide Jeffrey Archer with enough bestseller materials.

The episodes of unexplained deaths in police custody has drained off whatever little faith the average Malaysian has in public institutions, namely the police force and the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission.

Don't politicise Teoh's death

The perception that BN leaders are immune to serious allegations against them, while the opposition is being systematically persecuted for lesser crimes are being reinforced day by day.

No one will be surprised if no big names are charged in the PKFZ scandal and nothing comes out of the ‘correct, correct, correct' judge-fixing allegations.

Reports of a former Umno chief minister's palatial mansion and his nonchalant explanation of how he can afford it is not being pursued by the component parties.

Instead they turn their energies to decrying the Penang Chief Minister's rental of a bungalow. Go figure. Is it any wonder that MCA, Gerakan, MIC are no longer worth talking about.

The unfortunate death of a young Chinese political secretary must not be allowed to be politicised. The Opposition, especially DAP, must not paint this as a race-induced death.

Once in a lifetime opportunity

Neither should the government treat this tragedy lightly. Malaysia has been successful thus far because of its tolerance and understanding.

Before we had a token Opposition, now we have a strong one which sees federal power as a very real possibility, if not inevitable. Democracy works bests when there is real competition for our votes.

Therein lies our greatest opportunity to take Malaysia to the next level. But beneath that lies a great danger as well - if we allow those who will stop at nothing to preserve or change the status quo by playing the race card.

If we succumb to racial-based rhetoric, we would squandered a once in a lifetime opportunity to realise this country's fullest potential.