With respect to Neil Khor , Dr Musa Mohd Nordin and others who believe the implementation of the NEP, flawed or otherwise, is responsible for their upliftment, allow me to correct the misconception.

The NEP was - and is - doomed to failure because it was designed not to be accountable for its implementation. The NEP is a policy where the means justify the end. That is the reason for the use of the quota system. If the NEP was truly meant to be implemented correctly, the use of quotas would not have been strictly adhered to.

Administrators would then be forced to use other means like handicaps to help those in need. Bumiputera students would be given grade handicaps while bumi businessmen would be given easier terms for business opportunities for instance. The NEP is not a real affirmative action as understood in developed countries such as the US.

The fact of the matter is that the NEP will fail because those who control it see it as an opportunity for power and wealth. It will fail because it is impossible to separate its altruism and abuse. In fact, that is generally true of all protectionist policies, which is why they do not work.

Those who believe that the NEP uplifted their lot should be careful of the context of this because they do not really know what the outcome would have been should the NEP not have been implemented. Singapore has not only narrowed the income gap between races but has done so despite having an environment that discriminates against Malays.

The achievement of the Malays in Singapore are real but in Malaysia, except for a few, we do not really know where most bumiputeras stand in the competitive world. We would know better if we did not have quotas and moved to a handicap system instead. However, Umno does not want this for it will have to be accountable and measured every day, every month, every year and every four years.

There is nothing to suggest that most bumiputeras would not have done better without the NEP. Singapore is just one example. I know of numerous bumis in the West that have achieved much in a competitive system.

There is no reason to believe that those who benefitted from the NEP would not have benefitted from a meritocractic policy (with handicaps) that encourages and supports them to measure and better themselves everyday. At the very least, any achievement they obtained then would not be questioned but respected, and they will not be blamed for the lost opportunities of others.