The tragedy of Barisan Nasional is that it has remained a coalition of individual parties. They do not even have parliamentary committees where representatives of the member parties sit and dialogue. It is akin to saying that MIC will just have to concentrate on roads and drains while they have no say in issues relating to foreign affairs or defence.

The thinking of the member parties are not solicited on the key issues facing the nation. That is why there is absolute silence from the MCA when it comes to the 'Lingam tape'. At least, Gerakan came out and expressed a view. What about the PPP? Now that Kayveas has been shifted to another portfolio, he is silent on issues of justice.

The fact remains that the BN has not grown nor developed its capacity for dialogue. They get shaken by every crisis, lose the underlying issue and then make it a racial issue which is then placed under the carpet. The tragedy is that Umno is more equal than the rest and such a partnership is doomed to failure because it is not rooted in respect.

Also there is an absence of critical evaluation of how the BN can become a better vehicle to represent the interests of the people. Does this mean that non-Malays have no say on issues of defence, foreign affairs or the environment?