Malay 'special rights' as interpreted and redefined by the powers that be, have to my mind gone against the spirit of the constitutional provision.

In the '50s when the Malays were considered to be the poorest community in Malaya, the clause was included to reassure Malays that they would not be sidelined after independence and that there would be constitutional provisions to ensure that there would be redress to their backward state. It did much to assuage Malay insecurity about their position in Malaya, post-Merdeka.

It is crucial to understand that the 'special rights' clause was included to ensure that there was equality between the races and not to create a 'super-race' ala apartheid.

The contention that the 'special rights' clause for Malays in the constitution was a quid pro quo

arrangement for the granting of 'second-class' citizenship rights to non-Malays is not only insulting but outrageous. Disturbingly, this is the perception of a large number of our Malay brethren which was eloquently encapsulated in BlueRider's letter .

Over the years the 'special rights' provision has been abused to the very detriment of the community it was meant to help. This has been acknowledged by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, our former prime minister. Clearly there has to be a reassessment on the need or relevance of such a constitutional provision.

What is so objectionable about equal rights where the most deserving members of society are provided assistance by the state irrespective of race, colour or creed? This can quite easily be means tested. The vast majority of deserving people will continue to be Malays due to demographic and economic realities.

Surely this is consonant with Islamic values, where human beings are created equal before God. Clearly, the 'special privileges' advocates have not included a moral dimension to their argument.