"Eh, you know that Malay actress?" asked the Chinese lady.

"Which one?" replied the Malay lady.

"Haiya! The one in all of those Malay dramas lah. Fasha Sandha! She's my neighbour you know."

"Oh! Wah! You actually know these Malay celebrities! Quite good for a Chinese."

"I don't actually. She happened to appear on the AEC channel once lah. And I noticed she looked familiar."

This may seem like a fairly innocent conversation to many. But I see it as something disturbing that shows the polarisation of the many races in Malaysia.

From my point of view, this is just evidence of the segregation that has crept into the lives of Malaysia's so-called multi-racial society.

Even the entertainment industry has been polarised. Malays will watch Malay dramas, Chinese watch Chinese dramas and Indians watch Tamil dramas.

It's the same for films as well as music. Chinese films that are catered to the Chinese audience will be released on Chinese New Year, and the Malay ones during Hari Raya.

A Malay would feel lost watching a Chinese film because he or she wouldn't be able to understand the nuances and the references that would be unique to the Chinese.

And a Chinese would feel the exact same way when he or she watches a Malay film or drama. They just wouldn't get it.

That is why it would be such a shocker when a Chinese would know a Malay actor or singer or when a Malay would know a Chinese one.

But it wasn't always like this. When I was growing up in the early 1980s, I remember when it didn't matter what race a good artist is to be recognised by all Malaysians.

Take for example the great late Sudirman. Almost every Malaysian of that generation knows of Sudirman and knows his songs by heart too.

I have Chinese and Indian friends who can sing Balik Kampung and Basikal Tua from start till end even today. And they would have watched the film 'Kami' too!

And can you name me one Malay man or woman who grew up in the 1980s who would not have heard a single Alleycats song?

DJ Dave, Francesca Peters, Nancy Foo, AR Badul, Susan Lankaster, Imuda, and, heck, even P. Ramlee, were truly Malaysian household names. Everyone knew them.

(At a more contemporary period, there was Yasmin Ahmad. But alas, we lost her all too soon.)

Many would say those were the good old days. And boy were they right. Not only was the quality of the entertainment better, the racial environment was much better too.

Most societies actually progress as the years progress. But it seems like our Malaysian society has regressed instead.

They say art is a reflection of society. But they also say that society often times emulate art. But it isn't too late.

The generation that grew up in the 1980s, my generation, are still around and we're still young (relatively!).

We are at the forefront of society right now. We are the workers, professionals, leaders and, most importantly, many are also parents now.

We are in exactly the right position to re-influence Malaysian society to go back to those good old days of multiracial harmony and understanding.