The 51st Merdeka Day is just around the corner. But the country is facing political chaos because of restrained politics. This is the price that we have to pay as no reform has been carried out all these years.

Instead, what we have seen is the racial politics of the Barisan Nasional (BN). We lived peacefully during economically good times but when the weaknesses in management were exposed, the public expressed their dissatisfaction in the 8 March general election, causing BN to face internal and external problems and political chaos.

Some said that this is just one of the "democratic throes." However, it can be called a democratic throe only if a country is in the right direction and there is a sign of innovation. Otherwise, if the confrontation between the ruling and the opposition parties does not have a good motive and agenda, it will only bring about destruction and social disintegration.

So, which political party can represent the strength of reform? Three months after the general election, Umno is still practising racial politics and the situation appears to be getting worse as Umno knows that people in rural areas are still supporting it. Umno is controlling 79 parliamentary seats and it is also a primary political party of the country. Thus, it will probably, yet again, play with racial issues in the General Assembly in December to consolidate its political power.

Umno is the backbone of BN. As Umno has no intention to carry out reform, suggestions by other member parties, including the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)'s "government of the people, for the people and by the people" are just wishful thinking.

Meanwhile, looking at the three member parties of Pakatan Rakyat, it is impossible for Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas), which insists on theocracy, to promote reform. Moreover, the party has been covetously eyeing the federal regime. This is an obstacle for the country's freedom.

DAP's political stand is line with the multi-racial reality but it lacks influential and mobilization power. The party's limitations would be its strong Chinese feature and weak foundation.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is seen as the hope of democracy but the fact remains that it does meet the condition but has no forward-looking political vision and thinking.

PKR is now targeting the by-election in Permatang Pauh with its 916 power seizing plan. However, even if Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is able to rope in 30 BN MPs to join Pakatan Rakyat and seize federal power, such a federal government will not be stable. This is because BN's vested interests will do the same to buy the new government's MPs and to launch demonstrations, causing the new government to lose concentration on governing the country.

The people feel insecure, anxious and panicky because of the political parties' and politicians' obstinacy, including the interference in The Conversion to Islam forum, demonstrations of UiTM students and violence incidents during the by-election in Permatang Pauh.

The Malay thinking must first be changed in order to start the country's reform. If Anwar does not ride the crest of the reformation wave by setting an example in personally taking part in it, he will eventually be swept away by the powerful currents of history. (By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)