Malaysia practises party politics and reform relies on political parties instead of the government. The country's reform would be hard to move on if political parties do not start the reform agenda.

Component parties of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition are going to have party elections within the next six months. It is supposed to be an opportunity for these parties to draw in new blood and carry out political reform. However, the words and deeds and election manifestos of the candidates are disappointing. We can see no one has the courage to reform the country.

In MCA, we can again hear the slogan of "outspoken leaders". Outspoken leaders dominated politics of the 1970s and 1980s which was characterised by racial polarisation, political instability and the problem communication between the race divide. However, such a political climate should not exist in today's era of globalisation.

If the system is not improved and racial politics continues, how long can outspoken leaders sustain themselves? Would they still be outspoken after the party elections?

Also, the termination of the controversial New Economic Policy (NEP) and the establishment of the third National Economic Consultative Council (NECC III) basically did address the crux of the problem.

The country urgently needs to adjust the system. More power should be given to parliament and judicial reform should be carried out to check and balance the excessive executive power. Besides, various racial policies will continue unless racial politics is eliminated.

Only a comprehensive system and adjusted thinking can help the country to get rid of the difficulty and back on the right track.

What is worrisome is the extension of Umno party elections to March next year. It means that Umno leaders will be busy for the elections and have no time to study and think about the country's reform. The general elections was over seven months ago, but the country is now moving into a full year of political turbulence. And no one knows whether there is going to be any positive development after the party elections next year.

Meanwhile, Pakatan Rakyat's performance is disappointing as well. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is preoccupied with taking over the government and is not introducing any national reform planning. Don't Pakatan Rakyat's leaders see the country's plight?

Regardless what are the results of the Umno party elections and power transition plan, if BN's and Pakatan Rakyat's internal conflicts are not resolved, the country's political situation will remain unstable and conflicts will arise. Both the ruling and opposition coalitions will as well have to face the crisis of split.

As the two major political parties are unable to resolve the country's crisis, they should consider the third option, which is to combine all of those who are not satisfied with the two parties to play the role of check and balance. Thus, the parties will focus on serving the community.

The country has been politicised and it has got lost. Hope can be seen only after we have found the way out. (By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)