I am certainly confused. Why is Umno blaming other races for their own backwardness? Can't anyone in Umno see that in a few years' time the world will be flat - no boundaries between countries and competition being the order of the day?

Just look at Proton as an excellent example A money machine when protected by the government but fighting for its life when opened to fair competition. Does Umno then blame the world for Proton's problems?

The ironic thing that is going to happen soon is that all those that Umno dislikes are going to be Malaysia's biggest competitors for foreign investment - China and India. I don't need to explain much about what effects China has on our foreign investments but if India were to open up their market soon, Malaysia will be in deep trouble.

Being a businessman, I am already seeing the effects of what an open market will have on my business and am already making plans to overcome the potential problems that will arise. Vietnam, too, is going be a new competitor soon.

What I am surprised about Umno is that its members are still living in a dream world. They think the day when Proton will fighting for its life will never come. They are always looking for scapegoats and the easy way out - cronyism.

I have well-educated Malay friends that are not members of Umno and they share the same opinion about the potentially destructive course Malaysia is heading towards. They, too, are making plans on how to overcome the problems that will arise and some have sent their children to Chinese-medium schools to be educated.

My dear friends, we will be living in a flat, flat world very soon so make plans now. The Vietnamese boy washing your car now may not be washing your car forever. He may be your greatest competitor soon.