The poll conducted by the web edition of Harakah on the future prime minister is both interesting and saddening. Allow me to contribute a few remarks to the public discussion on this important topic for all Malaysians.

First and foremost is the fact that, although there are many more talented, highly educated and popular Malay Malaysians outside Umno, the choice of a future PM is still confined to top Umno leaders. We are forced to choose only among Umno leaders. Is it fair?

It shows the deformation and unfair democratic system that is not meritocractic even among Malay and Muslim Malaysians. The fact that many talented, highly educated and popular young Malay and Muslim Malaysians have chosen not to join Umno, or prefer Keadilan and PAS, also reflects that something is very wrong with the party.

Second, the web poll conducted by Harakah has done a great service for all Malaysians because it allows even minority like me to indicate my preference for the future PM. Otherwise, non-Umno Malay, Punjabi, Indian, Chinese, Kadazan and Iban Malaysians will have no say at all on the future PM whose allowances and salary are paid for by the taxpayers of all races, including non-Umno Malays and Muslims.

I hope other publications like malaysiakini will also conduct polls regularly for all Malaysians to evaluate our ministers and deputy ministers, be they Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iban or Kadazan. They are all paid by all Malaysians as public servants.

Lastly, allow me to offer a sincere advice to Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. There is no point in relying solely on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamads support. To be honourable and legitimate, he must learn to compete with others, at least within the party on a level playing field.

His lack of moral authority stems from the fact that while Najib Abdul Razak, Muhammad Muhammad Taib and Muhyiddin Yasin were voted into their vice-presidencies in Umno, Pak Lah avoided contest, like Mahathir. Otherwise, he will forever remain the Old Mans Boy without solid and proven grassroots support. He will be seen as a puppet of Mahathir as well as the other three elected vice-presidents of Umno.

As for de facto Law Minister Rais Yatim, I think Malaysians should forget about him being the future prime minister. If a doctorate holder cannot even stand by his own graduation thesis, how can he be entrusted with the future of the nation?