I refer to the Malaysiakini article Malays are their own worst enemies .

The writer should be complemented for her well-argued case – factual, objective and true.

There was no doubt that the Malays and the poorer sections of Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, and Orang Asli communities needed a conscious push to get started.

Hence, the NEP was formulated. But Umno did not allow the NEP to be implemented without regard to race and religion. Umno sabotaged it.

Probably the Malays needed the help in terms of their numbers more than the others and it was understood by all that the Malays will get 30% of everything. But that was not what happened on the ground when it came to implementation.

Nearly 100% of everything - the bulk of opportunities - went to the Malays. Jobs in the full spectrum of the civil service both at federal and states level, GLC appoitments and contracts, etc. This ‘sabotage’ by Umno for 40 years (while the MCA, MIC and Gerakan slept through it) had two damaging aspects.

One, the Malays started to expect 100% of all opportunities making them less competitive. Even if Umno wanted to correct the situation now, I doubt they can because once you have mounted a vicious tiger, you cannot dismount unless you are prepared to be risked killed by the tiger.

Umno is neither prepared to be killed and nor does it want to be killed. The second aspect involves the non-Malays who feel justifiably, neglected and unwanted by the doings of their own government.

But to survive, they are forced to fight and compete, making them more competitive while at the same time frustrated and angry. This is what their government is doing to them and that is their feeling.

If only the NEP was implemented the way it meant to be, say 50% (instead of the 30% meant for them) to the Malays and 50% to all the non-Malays, Malaysia would have been a different nationally – peaceful, progressive and harmonious without racial and religious separations.

And internationally respected and competitive, a model for other nations. Considering our resources, it was not necessary to rob Peter to pay Paul to pay Paul if we were managed by a government of educated, competent men of integrity.

But as someone said recently, we have been managed by deranged leaders for 30 years from the time. I just wish the writer’s well-meaning attempt to wake up the Malays will not go to waste.