Perhaps Dr LF Ng has gotten me out of context with respect to my writings on the bumiputera status of children of mixed marriages in Sabah. The story behind this is lengthy. Suffice to mention that anyone with traceable native blood is considered a bumi in the Sabah context.

But somehow, some are not given this recognition. Certainly it is not my intention to perpetuate the crutches afforded to the bumiputera.

Of Ng's speculation that Hang Tuah is a Chinese; he might well be right. The 14th century Sultan of Brunei is a Chinese from the Fujian province. So the present Brunei royalty have Chinese blood in their veins.

Any surprise on the finding that, after all, we are of the same people? None at all. Our mitochondrial DNA reveals that we have the same ancestry from Africa.

For that matter, all living things have similar DNA. Our DNA is not unlike the worm's or the bougainvillaea's or even the grass' that we trample on everyday. What differs are the permutations of the nucleic acid bases in the DNA besides the number of genes in the genome of the respective species.

If there is a gossamer of allusion to the notion that a certain race is more intelligent than another then let me say that I certainly will never buy this hypothesis at all, lesser still entertain it.

I strongly believe that anybody born with a normal genomic constitution possesses a mental potential equivalent to anyone. Therefore, everyone is a potential genius (I use the term 'potential'). The challenge is how to get to the genius in each one of us who has a normal genomic configuration.

I do believe environment plays a part. Watch again the phrases - normal genomic constitution and configuration. I did not, and will never, preclude the genetic aspect of it. It is the genetic-environmental interplay that is of paramount importance in the development of an individual's full potential.

Potential is just that. It is as good as nothing if not utilised. Tolstoy's works if not read and appreciated will just remain useless scraps of paper.

Humans are the same. Some people realise their own potential and use them but others don't. Yet others' are recognised by other people and steps are taken to nurture them. There are, of course, some whose potentials are forever locked away just because nobody raises a finger to help them.

Our duty is therefore to realise the potential in each and every one of us. All of us have a part in this mission.