It is not my intention to criticise anyone for criticism's sake but I believe no one should exploit the tragic events of May 13, 1969, especially for political gain. It is an insult to the memory of all those who died.

Politicians of all people should have learned the lesson of May 13, for it was politicians who caused the bloody riots that wounded the country and caused many innocent lives to be lost.

Seditious talk and inciting to racial hatred is a serious crime in the country. Every law-abiding citizen knows that. But it appears not all politicians. Malaysians avoid talking about May 13. It could be a volatile topic if approached wrongly because the country has never addressed its national shame and put its national conscience at peace.

Politicians should set the example and not think they are above the law or common sense by rousing emotions with analogous references to May 13 as Umno's Badruddin Amiruldin recently did .

His cantankerous comments during the Umno general assembly have given Malaysians a cause for complaint. He should apologise for the rash words which were gratuitous and rude.

More than any time in history, the non-Malays have stood behind the government and proven beyond doubt their sincerity and willingness to make sacrifices for the nation's sake. They helped it win the last elections convincingly. It is traitorous to use them as a punching bag for scoring political points.

Since the inception of the NEP, the non-Malays have not undermined the government's policies in uplifting the economic plight of the Malays, though they and their children have had to experience a lack of equal opportunity in many important and critical situations.

Today's Malays are better off than at any other time in their history, thanks to the cooperation of the non-Malays and vice versa.

So Badruddin's troublesome remarks are baffling and seem out of place in contemporary Malaysia which seeks to unite the people into a 'Bangsa Malaysia'.

His offensive words only provide ammunition for Umno's critics to accuse it of being bankrupt of fresh ideas or an inspiring vision and dependent on the old politics of the past, where race is the central and flogged-to-death theme.

Today's Malays are now better educated and better equipped, more analytical and critical, more sophisticated than previous generations and can't be easily duped. Politicians who play the old racist card will be given the rakyat's red card.

Indeed there is no place for racial arrogance in a society that seeks not only temporal success but a greater adherence to Islam, the religion that defines it and preaches universal justice.

It is important therefore, that leaders set a good example. The reason why corruption occurs on a rampant scale is because ordinary people see their leaders behave above the law and think they have the right to do the same.

The police were quick to raid malaysiakini over a supposedly racist and seditious letter. But words far more serious have been uttered by a politician. Can we expect similar police concern?

It is a sad farce if politicians are allowed to speak, act and behave above the law when ordinary citizens are badgered to be complying citizens.