I would like to comment on the letter entitled Umno marginalises BN partners by Khoo Kay Peng. The writer is right to state inter alia that Umno'srecent criticism including against Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon have shaken the foundations of the Barisan Nasional political partnership.

I would like to put forward my views as follows though it is not exhaustive:

1. It is a known fact that for the last few years the state of the public bus system in Penang is pathetic. The writer mentioned that the state government failed to get a loan of RM50 million from the federal government to buy more buses. Lest we forget, the federal government recently said it will invest RM10 billion to upgrade the public transportation system in the Klang Valley in the near future. Why the double standards ?
   
   
2. Why only under the current leadership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the so-called issue of the marginalisation of the Malay community in Penang is brought by Umno Penang? Is it to create an excuse to rotate the chief ministership amongst the main component parties and for it to be later permanently held by Umno as happened in Sabah?
   
   
3. Why has no Umno leader had to date denounced the anti-Koh banner put up at the Umno Tanjung meeting recently?
   
   
4. Why the political secretary of the prime minister made a press statement regarding the Penang chief minister's post which is unprecedented in the past?

The manner in which Umno leaders, including its division leaders, 'hammered' the chief minister of Penang clearly demonstrates that Umno has no respect for Gerakan and has ignored the so-called BN way to resolve issues through the official channel. Yes, Umno sets, defines, changes and interprets the rules and regulations to its own whims and fancies.

Based on the current state of affairs, the Gerakan leadership must understand and be humble enough to appreciate that the chances of it retaining the chief minister's post does not look bright in the future and there is a feeling that doom is on the horizon.

It is evident that Gerakan is being systematically being marginalised by Umno. Thus, it is prudent for Gerakan to review its association of being in the Barisan Nasional coalition. Enough is enough!

Let us ponder what Steve Biko, the South African anti-apartheid activist (1946-1977) once said: "The basic tenet of black consciousness is that the black man must reject all value systems that seek to make him a foreigner in the country of his birth and reduce his basic dignity".