Even in the Malaysians cabinet, the quota system rules, so there is no meritocracy. The quality of the present cabinet best illustrates this.

There was a time in the late 70s and early 80s when there were many technocrats and professionals of integrity in the government (e.g. Paul Leong, K Pathmanaban, Athi Nahappan, Shahrir Samad, Hussein Onn).

Even the deputy prime minister then was of top grade material (Musa Hitam) but now everything we have is the result of horse-trading. This present cabinet was not finalised until the last minute , and many who were appointed or dropped learnt of it only through television.

I was most disappointed when the live TV coverage was terminated when the media started asking the prime minister some pointed questions. How can we be better informed and enlightened when we cannot even listen to our own PM live on national TV?

Looks like even the PM is censored - the tragicomedy that is Malaysia's national political credo.

I know expectations are very high that this government will, at long last bikin serupa cakap .

After all, greater miracles have happened elsewhere e.g. the fall of the Berlin Wallm the dismantling of the Soviet Bloc, the release of Nelson Mandela after 27 years in jail and freedom in South Africa after more than 50 years of oppression by an apartheid regime.

But, after almost 50 years of Umno sandiwara , it is best not to expect too much from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's new government. This way we will not be too disappointed when promises are not delivered.

I will only be convinced there is a change when definite steps are taken to achieve the following:

1) The dismantling of the race-based quota systems (affirmative action must be need-based, not race-based);

2) The establishment of an independent Election Commission (it should comprise representative of professionals bodies e.g. the Bar Council, the Malaysian Medical Association etc. and political party representatives answerable only to parliament and the Council of Malay Rulers).

3) The restoration of local government elections. (Why are we paying taxes to City Hall when we do not have the right to representation? Isn't the suspension of local government elections unconstitutional? Shouldn't the judiciary be given an opportunity to determine this?)

4) All government licences, awards, permits, contracts to be given by a transparent, open tender process.

Until all the above are done, please don't give me the bikin serupa cakap bull!