Over a period of 30 years, the BN-controlled mass media has done a terrific job of brainwashing Malaysians into deepening and animating our ethnic prejudices and ignorance. The result of BN political spin Malaysian-style is as effective as it is predictable.

Most Malaysians automatically vote along racial lines come election time.

PAS is so vilified in the BN-controlled English and Chinese media as crazed, dangerous, jihadist Taliban, riotous and fanatics, that non-Muslims dare not vote it in.

DAP is so vilified in the BN-controlled Malay media as commies, Zionist and Chinese chauvinists that Malay-Muslims will not vote it in.

Multiracial opposition parties like Keadilan lose support whenever ethnic or racial issues are highlighted as scared Malaysian voters forget quickly about universal ideals like democracy, judicial independence, social justice and human rights, and instead vote strictly along ethnic lines - that is, Umno, MCA or MIC.

The point here is that BA has absolutely nothing to gain and everything to lose if racial passions or ethnic prejudices are fired up. Nevertheless, it is always BA or independent news providers like malaysiakini who are accused of playing with racial fire.

The sharp contrasts highlighted by Average Joe on the vote-winning strategies of non-racial versus racial parties are worth studying.

Umno-BN should therefore take a good look in the mirror before accusing PAS-BA of being racial troublemakers. The pot should stop calling the kettle black.

As responsible citizens, self awareness of personal or ethnic prejudices is crucial if we are to develop positively as a nation.

The greatest defence that we have as a nation against divisive racial or ethnic politicking and unscrupulous politicians, is an enlightened, informed and educated voting populace.

A lying, sycophantic crony-controlled press cannot be considered particularly helpful in this respect.