I am one of the many voters of multi-ethnic Bangsa Malaysia who voted against the BN on Mar 8. It seems so naive that all the BN component parties need a post-mortem to find out what caused their defeats. For a start, it is because the leaders are mute, deaf and crippled.

Mute because the weaker BN component parties like MCA, Gerakan and MIC do not seem to have a voice even though officially they seem to have one.

Deaf because no matter how loud these lesser parties shout, the Umno leaders seem to have a hearing problem or are completely deaf due to their domineering position as a result of the last election success.

Crippled because even if they hear anything at all, nothing would be done. So instead of continuing to vote in MCA, Gerakan or MIC who claim to have a voice in the government, it seems better to have a loud voice outside of government. After all it makes no difference since Umno's arrogance would simply stifle the component parties' voices.

What was commonly used as excuse by MCA politicians was the line ‘our hands are tied’. See, Umno allows these component parties to speak out with their hands tied.

There is also no need to wield the keris to threaten the non-Malays because they are not the ones denying the Malays the renewal of their business licenses or granting new licenses. In fact, many traditional businesses who existed for a long time could not get their licenses renewed if a bumiputera partner was not included.

Even a simple business like a car wash has to have a bumi partner in order for the poor Indian chap to make a simple decent living. The bumiputera has not learnt to grow and operate businesses but depends on government policies to rob Ah Kow and Samy to pay Ali.

Go down to the people and find out how these abuses are occurring throughout the country and make amends - that is the true post-mortem action.

After 50 years of independence, we claim to have freedom of religion. Can most Protestant Christians claim to have a properly-approved place of worship? Many Indian and Chinese temples were built illegally but can they ever get any land to set up their temples if they apply for one other than those approved just before an election?

Today post-March 8, most of the rakyat are in celebration mood. Some claim the feeling on March 8 was better than striking the lottery. We now have hope for our children and would postpone our plans for our children to emigrate.

But I was saddened by PM’s statement that the non-bumis should be grateful that they can afford to send their children overseas. I scored 5As for my SPM in 1977 and could not even get a place in UTM nor in any of the local universities.

I am grateful to MCA for setting up the Tunku Abdul Rahman College that enabled me to get a professional qualification at a very affordable price. I worked very hard to make a living and save up for my children's future. None of this is due to any positive government policy.

Now the other states have to benchmark against the five states controlled by opposition. If Selangor, Penang and Perak do very well economically in transparent and just manner, in the next election, even states like Johor may fall. Of course, the first to fall would be Negeri Sembiland and Melaka. Despite the BN defeats, Ali Rustam still has not woken up and behaves in his usual arrogant style.

Lastly, I hope the PM will not further compound his mistakes by appointing ‘has beens’ like S Samy Vellu to the cabinet by making him a senator. While we have sacrificed MCA, Gerakan and MIC to express the rakyat’s dissent, Koh Tsu Koon stood up very well to face defeat in a very gentleman's way.

I am proud of him for declaring he would not accept a minister’s post through an appointment as senator. Ask anybody in the street about Samy Vellu's defeat and you can see the exaggerated expression of joy on their faces. So PM, please don't add oil to fire.

Also, as PM Abdullah should be more firm in ticking off those foul-mouthed errant MPs. By being silent, PM is seen to be weak and condoning their preposterous and sexist remarks. Malaysia has often been mocked for having MPs who are not even properly educated and yet being allowed to run the country.

There is hope and the whole country is rejoicing in case the BN parties are not aware. The victorious opposition now has to deliver and show they are truly effective and capable of being not corrupt.

There should not be any suspicion on whether a non-Malay mentri besar can be fair and look after the interest of the Malays. The non-bumis are so used to being suppressed and bullied that it is assumed now that a non-bumi would do the same when in power. That would be the greatest mistake the DAP can ever make. May God bless this wonderful country with a better future.