I refer to the letter by Shaiful Hzizy Zainol Abidin entitled Beri peluang kepada pembahas Umno . It is undeniable that the remarks made at this year's assembly did not deviate from the content of speeches made in past assemblies. The comments about spilling blood and veiled threats of violence are all par for the course at your typical Umno AGM. But is this therefore a justifiable excuse to 'close one eye' to the excesses of this year's assembly?

If we examine this issue based on a relative standard, the truth is that the delegates at this year's assembly did nothing wrong, except to make seditious remarks in front of the television cameras. After all, past assemblies were just as full of bloodthirsty threats and racial rhetoric as this year's. But if we look at things objectively, it is clear that the remarks made at this year's assembly are seditious - and it is equally clear that many of those made by Umno leaders in the past are equally seditious.

It may very well be true, of course, that such statements reflect the feeling on the ground among the party rank and file. But responsible leaders do not succumb to populist urges that will only harm the country in the long run. Responsible leaders do not respond to the crime of sedition by in turn encouraging it at their assembly. Responsible leaders explain the need for cooperation and compromise. They do not play to the gallery and act like bloodthirsty maniacs - especially not in front of television cameras.

Just because seditious remarks were not an 'isu besar' in the past does not mean they cannot or should not be a big issue now. The fact is, we were lucky because in the past, Umno AGMs were generally closed affairs. People were generally ignorant of what went on in the assembly. Now that they are aware, is it wrong for them to ask why justice has not been done? Why have those Umno delegates who uttered seditious remarks not been brought before the law?

For more than half a century, Umno, MCA and MIC have cast themselves as responsible leaders of Malaya and later Malaysia. Many of us, either convinced that this was true, or simply unable to accept the opposition as a palatable alternative to the BN, lent our support to Umno, MCA and MIC at the ballot box.

Unfortunately, this recent turn of events has exposed the BN government for what it is. If the BN does not get its act together, and acts to govern responsibly, it could soon encounter an incredible backlash at the ballot box. Perhaps then they will realise that it is not a Malay Agenda that will pull the nation together, but a Malaysian Agenda.

Perhaps then they will realise that a responsible leadership accords all its constituents with respect and honours its social contract as set out in the Federal Constitution. For the sake of our country and of BN, I pray that we will not need an electoral upset to wake up the government.

But if the irresponsible leaders of the BN decide to chance it and lose at the ballot box, I for one will not be shedding any tears. There is more to the social contract than just the special position of the Malays, and Umno would do well to remember that.