The president of MCA has been beating his war drums and also sounding like an old record for months.

His dislike for the DAP is well known and nobody can blame him really as both parties are desperately vying for the Chinese votes.

However, I find his constant "reminder" to the people especially the Chinese voters that DAP had to give up the Perak menteri besar post to PAS despite the party winning 18 state seats in Perak in the last general election very nauseating.

I think everyone including non-Perakians knows the real reason why the menteri besar post was given to PAS, which is part of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

How come the president of MCA is so adamant to insist that DAP is subservient to PAS? Is that so? I am sorry to say that many Malaysians do not think so.

Then he goes round trying to frighten the people about PAS' intention of turning Malaysia into a Taliban state.

I agree that there are some extremist elements within PAS but there also the same kind of characters in Perkasa, too, who are supported by members from a major partner in the ruling coalition which MCA is part of, even though that party had distanced itself from these goons.

One thing I want to ask the president of MCA is that where was the party's voice when our former PM Dr MahathirMohamad  unilaterally declared Malaysia to be an Islamic state way back in 2001?

We are a secular nation with Islam as the official religion. That was what I learnt while in school.

Is there an Act of Parliament that states Malaysia is an Islamic country?

If there is, please enlighten me.

And if indeed Malaysia is an Islamic country then what is the casino doing up on the mountain range in Pahang and how come we still have our regular weekly four digit draws?

Also alcoholic beverages are easily available in all supermarkets, restaurants and coffee shops.

To put it succinctly, the people don't really care about race and religion. We are all Malaysians. It is the politicians who continue to harp on these two sensitive issues in order to stay relevant.

What the people really want is a clean and efficient government where there will be no room for rent-seekers and cronies.

Is that too much to ask?