I refer to the Malaysiakini report Mukhriz 'committed sedition' over vernacular schools .

I read your report quoting Lim Kit Siang's citation of the constitutional protection against any discussion on the existence of the vernacular schools with disappointment and disgust.

One cannot help but notice the glaring double standard practiced by the non-Malay politician from across the political divide on issues relating to specific communities. When certain non- Malay politicians questioned the rights of the Malays to be considered as the native of this land; fellow non-Malay politicians would justify the insensitivity with a plethora of reasons.

When the specific provisions guaranteeing the special positions of the Malays and the Sabah- Sarawak natives were questioned, belittled or openly debated – non-Malay politicians praised this as the healthy debate taking place towards the creation of ‘Bangsa Malaysia’.

Not even once did Lim Kit Siang came to the defence of the Malays by citing this so-called constitutional protection he cited against Mukhriz Mahathir. Not even once did he imply that the fellow non-Malay politicians who so blatantly ignored the so-called guarantees built in our constitution should be charged under sedition.

But now – the tables are turned and even the much hated Sedition Act (often lambasted as an instrument of oppression) is cited as the possible ‘punishment’ against a fellow politician.

I have never voted for Umno and do not intend to. But as a Malay, I have a deep fear of Pakatan Rakyat precisely because of the antics and behaviour of the non-Malay politicians you quoted in your report – because their double standard on race-related issues is so blatant.

The non-Malays can continue to lament and point fingers on the so-called injustice in waiting for the time when a non-Malay can become a prime minister but how do you expect a Malay to contemplate having a non-Malay as a prime minister, when the so-called top non-Malay politician like Lim Kit Siang very rarely articulate Malay-related issues?

This fear among the Malays is as real as the fear and concern of the non-Malays when Pemuda Umno raised the keris . Lim's reaction may push more moderate Malays to go back to Umno,

realizing that DAP has never actually moved away from race-based politics.

In the mean time, we miss the opportunity to discuss objectively one issue that will continue to divide this nation – the vernacular schools. No one is accusing the schools for planting the seeds of mistrust among our young citizens, yet understanding and appreciation of one's culture must start at a very young age.

Through vernacular schools, we practice segregation from as early as seven. We limit our exposure to our kind and by the time we lose our innocence, our opinion has been marred by our prejudice.

Objectively, Mukhriz is correct to say that the vernacular school system is a leftover of the British colonial period. Yet instead of discussing this, the non-Malay politicians jumped up and down.

As much as the non-Malays have opinions about the necessity, equitability and fairness of NEP – the majority of the Malays also have our opinions on the impact of the vernacular schools on national unity.

These are our two demons that we have to tackle, manage and confront together. They are our Achilles' heel. They will continue to divide and foster distrust until such a time we have politicians who are willing to put aside their narrow need for popularity in their community.

We have seen Anwar Ibrahim taking the lead for NEP. When are we going to see a similar political leader from the non-Malays to rise above the race divide and objectively evaluate the impact of vernacular schools?

We don't need Lim Kit Siang's double standard and his type – we have too many of them already.