I want to add my two cents' worth to KS Ong's letter entitled ' Voter's non-existence address ' .

As far as I am concerned, the ruling regime is responsible for the growing decay of almost every government institution in the land. They are in power since the country obtained its independence. It is they who formulated, planned, and implemented all those schemes.

A prime example is education. It is Umno that kept on tinkering with its education policies and what do we have now? 90,000 unemployable graduates. Why is it that most employers would rather hire those with non-Malaysian degrees? Is a Malaysian degree worth anything any more?

Name me one government and quasi-government agency that is not Umno-centric, including the Election Commission. Does KS Ong think that senior officers of these agencies are really "neutral and professional and not Umno-centric"? I dare say that senior personnel have to kow-tow to Umno in order to get promoted and I hope someone can prove me wrong.

Take the Royal Malaysian Police as a typical example. If KS Ong happen to be a senior Umno politician and being a victim of a crime, the whole nation would be mobilised to ensure that he will not fall victim again but if he is a Joe public, almost every police personnel at all levels will find reasons to justify their disinterest.

For KS Ong to expect neutrality, independence and professionalism from the Election Commission seems to me as too idealistic, at least, not until the present regime is changed. Remember how many government officers were in trouble in India when the Indian Congress

Party lost the general election? The same would happen in Malaysia if and when the present regime is voted out of power.

This is partly the reason why mediocrity in the performance of Malaysian bureaucracy is maintained. The status quo is after all much safer, especially for those in power. It is for KS Ong and I and the ordinary rakyat to reflect and make a conscious choice in the voting booth on whether we want to maintain this malaise or take a risk for change.

To me at least, the status quo is no longer justified and you can bet that I will exercise my right as a citizen come this next national election!