The initials MCA should stand for 'My Children Also'. The Barisan Nasional component parties have been talking about this 'new blood' of younger leaders.

Alas, its not new blood but the same blood in a younger version. Ling Hee Leong, Lim Si Pin, Najib, Hishamuddin, Mokhzani, Khairy and a few others are beginning to make their mark in the royal family of BN.

Whither the peasants, the headmasters, the farmer's child who worked their way up the political ladder by serving the community and working the ground? These are the people who can identify with the masses and the commoners. The rakyat. The ones who have to tighten their belts when petrol price increases or who have to work double jobs to support their family.

The BN plays the same game year after year. Any aspiring leader within Umno Youth has to sound radical and resort to displaying a 'keris' and shouting for the return of the NEP.

Then when general election comes, the BN reminds us of the fragile balance between the races and the need for BN to maintain peace in Malaysia. They remind us of our past sin, the May 13 riots and warn us not to upset this fragile balance.

This is unity a la BN. Always 'maintaining the fragile balance'. Each party championing the cause of their own community. How can Malaysia go forward to compete in the international arena?

I understand that there is an opposition party which claims to be for all Malaysians. A party championing causes not along racial lines. This sounds appealing to me. At least there is no more that cat-and-mouse game every five years before each election.