I refer to Mary Tan's letter KL treats Sabah, Sarawak as neo-colonies .

Indeed, the Umno regime in Kuala Lumpur has been subjugating and exploiting not only Sabah and Sarawak, but also other groups in the Peninsula.

First and foremost are the non-Malays. Even in Peninsula, non-Malays like Chinese, Indians and Orang Asli are treated as second-class citizens not only in terms of education and economic opportunities, but also psychologically. They are, after all, constantly reminded by Umno politicos (who often brandish the keris).

Meanwhile, the Umno regime also oppresses progressive and non-conformist Malays themselves, including academics and university students. Leaders, members and supporters of PAS, Keadilan and even alternative arts groups are forever branded as 'traitors', 'terrorists' or 'militants', and also harassed and persecuted.

At the same time, despite the taxes it has been collecting from the oppressed people of all races, religions and regions, the Umno regime in Kuala Lumpur is utterly inefficient and corrupt when it comes to the management of the affairs of the country.

Witness, for instance, the rising crime rate, the Mafia-like police brutalities, the corruption, the AP and other AP-like scandals, the sub-standard mainstream journalism and the messed-up system of education from primary to secondary to tertiary (but the Umno elite send their sons and daughters to UK for education).

Yes, under Umno, Malaysia has become a wasteland politically, economically and culturally. So there is nothing indeed to be proud of after 48 or 42 years of so-called Merdeka for it is only a replacement of Western colonialism by Umno's neo-colonialism.

But the bizarre thing is that these Umno politicos and their multiracial sycophants feel no shame unlike all other normal human beings. It is pathetic and miserable.