I am responding to the letter Time for more equal racial system . I would like to point out the misuse of some terms that give the real picture a different twist.

Firstly, although many people use the term 'racial' in the bumiputera context, there is nothing racial about it. It is simply and plainly based on religion. In Malaysia, being Malay equals being Muslim and being Muslim equals being Malay.

Recent Muslim arrivals from Indonesia and South Philippines have been accepted into the 'Malay' fold and have been classified as bumiputera to bolster the Muslim bumiputera population. But non-Muslims have not been allowed into Malaysia to bolster the non-Muslim bumiputera population, which is to be found chiefly in Sabah and Sarawak. (Looks like even under the bumiputera category, there is favoritism based on religion).

Examples of this artificially created situation can be seen in the following examples: Descendants of Muslim and Hindu Indians who came to Malaysia together three to four generations ago on the same ship are now either bumiputera Muslim Malaysians (Indians) or non-bumiputera Indians (Hindus). How do you explain this?

Sumatran illegal immigrants who came to Malaysia about 10-20 years ago are now bumiputeras whereas the Chinese and Indian non-Muslims whose grandparents or parents were born in Malaysia and who fought the invading Japanese and the communists during the insurgency are not bumiputeras. How do you explain this?

Many of the Indonesian Bugis, Suluks and Bajaus who were brought to Sabah to work as labourers about 20 years ago are now bumiputeras, whereas Indian and Chinese born in Sabah over three generations ago are non-bumiputeras. How do you explain this?

The answer is that it is not racial but religious.

If Malaysia wants to continue to be the peaceful country it is, politicians will have to stop playing games. Recognise the real bumiputeras who were born in Malaysia and whose ancestors sacrificed their sweat, tears and lives for Malaysia to survive as a country. We deserve better than to be treated as second-class citizens at the expense of newcomers.

Only when politicians stop dividing the people of this beautiful country solely to keep themselves in power can we live in harmony and peace.

I ask all politicians to put right all the wrongs of their predecessors and unite the people with their actions. Just words alone will not make Malaysia the power it can become if all its people unite.