Dr Mahathir Mohamad's outburst against Malay incompetence is not new. He has said it several times over the last 15 years. But what he condemns today, he will restore tomorrow. Hence, the status quo of the Malays. In fact he has given more to the Malays over the last 15 years.

All this condemnation is like a choreographed play. After his condemnation, the Malays will start to point out that because they are incompetent, they will still need special privileges. No Malay can stand up and be counted on his or her own effort and skill without being dismissed by the government.

Look at what happened to Tun Suffian. He stood up to be an example of what a Malay can be, that is, to stand on his own two feet and depend on his own brains. The government dismissed this and told him that what he was then was due to the government's policy of putting Malays on the ladder of success.

Of course, as a man of integrity and ability, Tun Suffian resigned as then chairman of the Standard Chartered Bank immediately.

The present government wants all Malays to be indebted to it for their success. Hence the privileges will remain and the success of Malays will be due to the government's policy of planting Malays on the ladder of success.