Choo Sing Chye's letter ' BN destroying Ipoh ' finally gave me the extra push to subscribe to malaysiakini . This letter also marks the very first time I am writing to the mass media.

As an Ipohite for over 30 years, I have always wondered as to the sluggish economy of Ipoh, even in the best of times. Now due to Choo's letter, at least I have an idea why.

First and foremost, I call myself a Malaysian and secondly I am Chinese by race. My father and I were born in this beautiful country, and this country is the only one I've ever known.

In my younger days I was unable to enter local varsity, I believe, due to the fact that I am Chinese by race. Being unable to afford overseas study, I have resigned myself to holding a lowly local diploma. I earn a decent living doing business in the engineering line. I drive an old Wira that has definitely seen better days. If you see an old Wira on the road with its rear bumper half hanging out, that's probably me in the driver's seat.

All these years I have never enjoyed a single ringgit of opportunity from the government or from any politician or political party, and I don't expect any in the future. I pay my taxes and I only hope that one day my son will be able to enter a local university without having to fight with 'bumiputeras'. That's all I ever ask.

Sometimes I wonder, "Am I not a Son of the Soil?" I was born here, fully educated here, lived here and will probably die here in my beloved country as well. Do I not pay my taxes and abide by the law? If suddenly we are at war, I would not hesitate to enlist and bear arms in the service of my country.

I can't even register my company under Pusat Khidmat Kontraktor. My forms were conveniently lost and forgotten by Putrajaya. After a few tries I just gave up. I write this just to express my inner feelings and not to offend anyone, least of all bumis, as I also have many Malay friends.

This coming election I will be exercising my right to vote for the first time. Come what may, this election I will vote for the person/party who will address these bread-and-butter issues because I know for sure we do not need any more Petronas Twin Towers, we do not need a Formula One racetrack etc.

What we need is a solid guarantee for our future, for our children's future, such as education and religious freedom, just to name a couple.