It is with much sadness and frustration that I am writing about the present state of affairs in my beloved country. My parents and I were born in Kuching, Sarawak, and grew up among the Chinese, Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Indians, Eurasians and Malay friends (a microcosm representing Malaysia).

There was, and still is, complete trust and sincere friendship among the different races here and none of the acrimony and animosity that is so prevalent in Kuala Lumpur. I can only ascribe this to the racist and fascist stance and 'ideology' of Umno and the other Malay 'ultras' who think nothing of offending the minority races in the name of naked Malay nationalism.

They behave as if they, and only they, own the country with complete disregard to the legitimate rights of the other citizens including the rightful, legitimate original peoples of the land, the Orang Asli.

If the majority continue to condone or turn a blind eye to the dangerous and ridiculous antics of Umno and the Malay 'ultras', there will be no hope for the future. The blatant abuse of power, the corruption and the wastage of the country's wealth will ruin the country, especially when the oil runs out in 11 years' time.

But that is not as bad as the loss of a common destiny for its peoples. It would seem that the different races are now as far apart as they have ever been in the history of modern Malaysia. And guess who is responsible? The Umnoputras argue about how little corporate wealth they have acquired or amassed through the decades of cronyism at expense of the rest of the country.

But they hardly flinch when they are found out and exposed . Kudos to Professor Dr Lim Teck Ghee for exposing them.

Coupled with the headlong rush towards Islamisation, the rest of the country will face the twin terrors of race and religion as personified by the actions perpetrated by state political and religious apparatus. This to the detriment of human rights of other Malaysians.

Malaysians of other religions will be further alienated and made to feel that they are not part of the mainstream; they further marginalised and disenfranchised. Temples are demolished and approvals to build new churches are hindered.

I find it too distressing to continue with this train of thought but suffice to say that most reasonable Malaysians of all races will surely understand what I am trying to say in this not so eloquent letter. Most will worry about whether there is a viable, alternative government and worry about the need to change for the better.

I say, first recognise the problem and fix it. Then worry about what to do next otherwise nothing will be done. Who is responsible for all the malaise and creating the racial divide? We are in this state of affairs because of Umno and we don't even realise it..Wake up before it is too late.