From a walk for unity and the SEA Games leading up to National Day, the real Malaysia was on show in all its glory and glaring misgivings.

We have drifted apart, there’s no doubt about that. And, as a nation, we seem to be continuing on our divergent paths. But this is a month to cherish, when Malaysians can celebrate their nationhood, with sport and patriotism.

Football is a sport loved by many, a sport that is a money-spinner all over the world. But it also evokes strong emotions – and violence. With the SEA Games around, it’s time to keep those emotions in check.

There are many religions in this world, some mainstream, some outrightly weird. But the adherents have the right to believe in what they want without being attacked and ridiculed, as long as they practise their faith peacefully.

The recent rampage outside schools has again highlighted a major problem with schools – the weaknesses in a system that overlooks poor performing students, making them easy targets for gangs.

The Kejara demerit system swings into action tomorrow. It should deter traffic lawbreakers. But can it handle the ones in the kampung, residential areas and the dimly-lit main roads of Pasir Gudang and Kamunting?

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. So said Juliet. But there are those who would want to pin down names to religions and even teach little children to do so.

What do EPL clubs, Hitler’s Nazis and Hinduism have in common? Their symbols have all appeared on kavadis in Penang during Thaipusam. The question now is: what should be allowed and what should be banned.

The Chinese New Year holidays are over but the celebrations go on, especially in largely Hokkien Penang. Then, there is Thaipusam, too, where the Rooster year is seeing ‘fighting cocks’ going at each other.

As the dust settles on the Faiz Subri ‘English-speaking controversy’, let’s look at the bigger picture. Our athletes need not speak great English but, as our ambassadors, they must be able to speak in public.

It takes a lot of guts to climb up a tall structure on a sheer hill, with no safety harnesses to fall back on. But there is also a thin line between bravery and bravado – defined as a false, or an over-the-top show of courage.

At a time when there is a great stink in Malaysian football there comes a fresh breath of air in the sport – from little girls who have embraced the sport.