I would like to add to the list of 'mistakes' by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad started by GH Kok and Alex Toong - namely on the surface he portrays the image that he is all for unity, but behind the facade, he has all the plans to create disunity.

Just before Mahathir stepped down, a group of us who obtained scholarships from the government had to attend a course organised by the Biro Tatanegara (BTN). We (Malays and non-Malays) were shocked by what we had to go through. In the course, the BTN speakers would tell us, non-Malays, things like we have to be grateful to the Malays for letting us stay in this country, that the non-Malays have taken away the wealth of the Malays, etc.

Our families have been in this country for many years and we worked very hard for our earnings and contributed much to the country. Moreover, our families are certainly much poorer than many Malay families.

It is such hypocrisy that the government is spending millions for racial integration and unity, but behind it all they are running courses like this to widen the gulf between the races. Why is the government trying to break up society? One theory is that racial strife serves the BN government. The Malays would then be forever dependent on the BN government. Such is the hypocrisy of the politicians.

The Malays should face the reality that many non-Malays are not rich. We work very hard for our rice bowl. We have to face many obstacles where promotion is concerned. Whenever there is a promotion exercise, we know that we will be bypassed.

We are already being discriminated so badly and to have to attend the BTN courses, it is like adding salt to the wound. How then can integration truly takes place in this country? If the government is truly sincere in fostering unity for the whole world to see, begin by stopping BTN courses which are so destructive.

Every time I see an advertisement on racial unity, or politicians urging the people to be united, I can't help but feel cynical.