If memory serves us correctly, the social contract - a simple unwritten arrangement fostered between Malays and non-Malays by the eternal wisdom of our founding fathers - brought about a rare unity among the multi-racial peoples of British Malaya and expedited the advent of independence on Aug 31, 1957.

It also paved the way for inclusion of Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei in an enlarged federation within just six years of the midnight air ringing with shouts of 'Merdeka!' in Kuala Lumpur.

Brunei stayed out over oil revenues and Singapore, as we will see later, left soon after. The social contract remained intact.