WHEN I was younger, even before standard one, my parents taught me that there are blacks and whites in life.

What is black, we are to avoid and what is white, we seek to pursue. Then, as it would be, we were enrolled into primary school, and we then learnt about all the grey areas that Mum never talked to me about! Some others, Dad did.

That was not too bad, because when we got into secondary school, the greys became a lot more apparent. They taught history but over time, our history too became compressed into simple Malay history of Malay(sia), and did not appropriately address true, factual, or objective and scientific history.

Non-Malays, therefore, became “pendatang” even though my dad read the Merdeka speech and was elected a town councillor even before that.

My mum studied enough Malay to carry on the simple lifestyle of a mother and teacher to all five of us. What was worse, is that most history book writers did not understand that the word Malay (or hill) was actually a Tamil word with Sanskrit roots.

Therefore, from it, we also get Malay-sians, which is what Lim Guan Eng answered when asked if he was proud to the next Chinese finance minister.

His response, unhindered, and in so-matter-of-fact a way as excellent: “I am Malaysian.”

So were those of Rafidah Aziz and the appointment of Tommy Thomas. Why regard any of them any less?

Their answers were in the blacks and whites of truth.

On the other hand, the current home minister once said he is Malay first and Malaysian second. My question to him now, publicly, is would you think and speak differently now?

Did only the Malays really vote you in, or are you now still getting another “free pass”? Does he want to move on in this new Malaysia in shades of grey?

Just as my parents taught me so many years back, truths should come in blacks and whites. But much, or most, of life is still full of greys.

We should still hold firmly to the hope that upholds the truth. According to the Holy Scriptures, the “Rainbow of Hope” is the way that God spoke of hope.

So the rainbow of hope is also alive now in New Malaysia. May this hope become fully alive for all Malaysians and foreigners in our midst. May God continue to bless Malaysia. – June 9, 2018.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.