The cake is big enough for all and as Malaysians, we want the best for every community. Let us address the need and not the race if Vision 2020 is to have any meaning, says a reader.

On Racialising research: The Asli report debacle

Sadirah K: When academics have presented their reports, it is only appropriate to critique these with counter-arguments and facts that provide us with another way of looking at the same issue. All this broadens the scope of the inquiry and provides us with an avenue to adjust or come up with adequate fresh policies and initiatives to deal with the issues at hand.

In a multiethnic nation like Malaysia, the best way to dampen or kill of any initiative is to racialise it. This immediately places it under the ambit of 'sensitive' issues, which in effect means sweeping the issue under the carpet.

We must understand that a person's 'race' is not a value. Even the NEP was motivated by the need for social justice. We must realise that all these studies and efforts by those like Asli and Dr Lim Teck Ghee are done with a view to achieving a just and fair society for all Malaysians.