Gerakan Youth's call for a single multi-racial party should be welcome if not for the unlikelihood of it happening. Just as Dr Koh Tsu Koon said it is not time yet, Pak Lah is all the more unready to face such a decision, fearing the backlash from his party members.

So when is the right time? Judging from the past 50 years, it will not happen unless the people make it happen. The people will have to vote out MCA, Gerakan, MIC and so forth to show that we have had enough of the present situation where only Umno decides on everything while the rest just make up the charade.

Incidentally, I read of an MCA leader who said that if the MCA were to withdraw from the coalition, another Chinese-based party would immediately take its place. So what? If what you think is right, why do you need to worry if another 10 such parties take your place? It is analogous to saying 'I know it is not right but if I do not take the bribe, someone will take it. I might as well enjoy the benefit now instead of someone else.'

I am sure non-Umno members are feeling that the situation is unfair too, with the many instances of blatant corruption which cannot be acted upon by the so-called leaders. How can we expect law and order if the people feel some are above the law?

Malay Malaysians, being the majority race, will still be the leaders as well as the ones to benefit the most if the NEP is based on need rather than race or creed. Even if the opposition can win the elections, for now, we are not about to see PAS turning the country into an Islamic one; nor ever see Lim Kit Siang as PM, nor Karpal Singh the de facto law minister, nor Lim Guan Eng the finance minister.

In fact, I am surprised at the many good critics like Kim Quek, Jeff Ooi and Din Merican, taking part in politics by actually joining political parties. More and more people are getting involved, even if it is just by registering as voters as a first step.

We have come to a stage where we do not have good choices as leaders in the present set-up. The ludicrous situation can be summed up as follows: between Pak Lah and Najib Razak, Anwar Ibrahim seems a good choice! Within Umno Youth, between Khir Toyo and Khairy Jamaluddin, I would prefer Mukhriz Mahathir!