Malaysia is a multi-ethnic nation that got its independence from Britain in 1957. Indigenous ethnic Malays and other Malayan peoples comprise 59 percent of the country’s population. Ethnic Chinese account for 26 percent of the population, while ethnic Indians make up about 7 percent. The remaining 8 percent is made up of small numbers of Indonesians, Thais, Europeans, and Australians.

Although this may be the land of diversity, we face a lot of discrimination. It does not always matter what colour your skin is, or how you look, you still face discrimination of some kind in life. Discriminations happens all the time, even within same racial ethnicities.

Let me put myself as an example, I grew up in a multiracial community since my school times as both of my parents served in the Royal Malaysian Air Force, we got transferred all over Malaysia every five years and what I can say from my experience is that discrimination is not something new to me and trust me its just not me alone went through all these but also the other 7.1 percent Indians, 25.6 percent Chinese and 22 percent other races including the indigenous people and the Sabahan and Sarawakians of Malaysia.

People may ask why do Malaysian Indian and Chinese continue to live in Malaysia despite the discrimination we face? The only reason why my parents and I choose to continue to live in this country is because this is our home. Here’s the thing, we’ve been here for centuries, our ancestors risked their lives, cramped into small boat, and sailed from India to Malaysia. It’s that simple.

People often talk about discrimination in other countries, but in Malaysia, the Indians and Chinese do not see it as discrimination. We see it as preferential or special privilege given by the government to the majority Malays. This affirmative actions on behalf of the majority Malays are limited to official and government institutions. Beyond those jurisdictions, life is the same as in other countries. Hence, Indians and Chinese are rarely found in those institutions.

Multi-ethnicities, multi-languages and multi-cultures have always been the advantages of Malaysia. Malaysia government should leverage these advantages to boost Malaysia's economy. However the government dare not take a big step because they have to care for the voice of Malay-nationalists. Due to this Malaysia's economy has been progressing slowly and is now far behind Singapore.

Fortunately at the same time the government still gives room for non-Malays to grow their language and culture, hence Malaysia is only behind Singapore but still is ahead of the rest of the Asean countries.

I would say if the government puts the Malay-nationalism agenda aside and is open to leverage the above advantages, in a very short time Malaysia will be a strong competitor to Singapore or even outperform Singapore. Also, if the government could stop their tactics, and treat non-Malays more fairly I believe we will be successful. Indian Malaysian and Chinese Malaysian cuisine are distinct from that of original ones.

We have a lot of Chinese food with Malay and Indian influences which you can only find in Malaysia. This is an example of our culture assimilation. It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences.