your say 'Mohd Khir Toyo's father was an immigrant, while my grandparents migrated here 200 years ago. Who is more Malaysian - Khir Toyo or me?'

Ruben Antony Soosay: The definition of Malay in the constitution is accepted by all Malaysians. My contention is the dilution of the term ‘Malay' vis-a-vis the non-Malays, which I get very upset about and feel is totally unfair.

Mohd Khir Toyo's father was an immigrant, while my grandparents migrated here 200 years ago. Who is more Malaysian - Khir Toyo or me?

Look at Sabah and Sarawak on the number of illegal immigrants there who have been granted citizenship, whilst non-Malays with red ICs and foreign spouses of Malaysians have to wait till kingdom come before they are accorded citizenship.

Keturunan Malaysia: I am a fourth-generation citizen, whereas my grandchildren are sixth-generation citizens. We are more sons- and daughters-of-the-soil than most so-called sons-and daughters-of-the-soil.

Just because we are not Malays (or pretend to be one) and not Muslims, we are still considered pendatangs . This is all pure rubbish. We have been suckered far too long... and to think all this can still happen in the 21st century.

Yes, we need a change, and we must not falter until the good change we seek come to pass.

Mr M: Identity is ours to define, not for others to dictate (this include what is Malay, or Chineseness, or how an Indian must act, and so on).

However, race is an artificial concept invented by society. Granted it has some roots in a biological-anthropological context, but that's about all it has in common with genetics. For example, in Malaysian race, is most often defined as being either Melayu , Cina , India , or - and this is my personal favourite - lain-lain .

In the US, you're either black (the whole of Africa), white (the whole of Europe), Asian (it doesn't matter whether he/she is Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai or Filipino - they all look the same anyway), Latino (again people from 'the rest' of the Americas).

LouisG: In the context of modern Malaysia, the question is whether as a nation state, we have a (permanent) rationale for citizenship with parity.

If there isn't, the whole exercise of building a nation will be like building sand castles on the shores of Batu Ferringhi. Each time the BN has to meet its electorate, they have to spin new meanings and reasons to be a citizen of this country. How long we can have this comfort of re-building castles on sandy shores, only time will tell.

Dingy: Would the descendants of Hang Li Poh, Cheng Ho or Hang Tuah and his gang be classified as bumiputera?

I am more inclined to believe that MCA played the Chinese out when they agreed to the constitution, because they never considered the position of the Peranakan Chinese, whose forefathers came here centuries ago.

What: Dr Mahathir Mohamad has the answers to all these ills afflicting the people. I may despise him, but thousands upon thousands heap praises on him. Bless him.

Johnny Yong: Having worked abroad and worked in a government-linked company before, I have always replied that I am a Malaysian when others asked about my nationality. Never have I once told them that I am a hua ren or Malaysian Chinese, although all my descendants were from China, and I read and write Chinese and speak three Chinese dialects.

My Malay colleagues are always proud to let others know that they are Malaysian. Never have I once heard them saying they are Malaysian Malay. I put on my batik shirt when I attend official functions. In my speeches, I use Malay to address my audience before continuing with English or Mandarin.

I may oppose the failed policies of the present government but I love my country. I am proud to be a Malaysian, first and always.

ONG: For me it's simple. I may not be ashamed of being Malaysian, but on the other hand if I am asked whether I am proud of being Malaysian, I scratch my head and ask myself, "What's there to be proud of?"

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