I beg to differ with the content of the letter Other areas for EC envoy to touch on .

In fact, racial tension has always been there, at time it is submerged and but not subdued as it is deep inside. I am privileged to have chatted with some expatriates who have stayed in Malaysia for sometime. When it comes to the topic of racial relationships, they tend to make the observation that there is deep anxiety among the non-bumiputeras.

What is different about European Commission ambassador Thierry Rommel is that he chose to openly speak out about it while many expatriates treated it as a topic for private conversation.

The question we are facing right now is the feeling of deep anxiety of the non-bumis which is not being recognised by the authorities. As important as the issue is, it is diverted and forced back under the table.

So over the years, the feeling has been submerged (but accumulating) and unofficially declared underground and taboo, adding on to our long list of grievances over the last 37 years. And this deep inside feeling has turned from bad to worse during the 22-year tenure of the last prime minister.

One of the two main objectives of the NEP - to eradicate poverty irrespective of race - has been sidelined while the other - restructuring of society - has been hijacked to see the dominance of one race in most sectors.

No doubt, the writer above is right when he says that the majority of the non-crony or outer circle bumiputera contractors only get the small contracts, but this is not the real issue. The real issue we are facing is can we compete and survive in a fiercely competitive and market-oriented globalised world where there is no such thing as protection or a quota system like the NEP?

Are we making good use of our resources to build the best human resources, the best products and services (again hinged on HR)? Self-initiated and self-imposed change is better compared to being forced by outside circumstances.

Having said all of the above, I almost forgot that all indications show that the general election might be called very soon before the year ends. Can the elephant learn how to dance? Let's see.