I refer to the Malaysiakini letter Umno full of 'non-Malay' leaders .

I am not sure what the writer was trying to put across but I would like to say that the assertion that "If today, a Chinese or an Indian converts to Islam, they and their younger generation will have the identity of being a Malay and enjoy the same benefits" is incorrect.

First of all, a Chinese or Indian cannot become a Malay. Whatever it is, he or she will be a Chinese Muslim or Indian Muslim. The Malays are a race whereas Muslims are people who believe in the religion of Islam and can be from other races.

Secondly, someone who converts to Islam does not get bumiputera rights because a bumiputera is defined as one who has a parent of Muslim Malay or Orang Asli origin as stated in Article 160(2) in the Federal Constitution. Thus, a new convert does not qualify and will not be entitled to those valuable privileges accorded to bumiputeras. It remains to be seen whether his or her children will get to be considered as bumiputera (unless the convert has married a Muslim Malay person).

There seems to be a fear that the privileges of the Malays will be lost and this must be causing a lot of tension, which politicians obviously exploit. Perhaps the Malays should ask themselves whether they really want to be considered as a "weaker" race always needing privileges in order to compete because this would only position them negatively. If they wish to show that they are really capable and world-class, then they should have no need for preferential treatment.

The other races, which have also contributed to the development of this nation especially in the economic field, did not question the NEP and the special privileges given to the Malays nor are they asking for any. But after three decades, isn't it time to level the playing field and time for the Malays to show that even without privileges they can do as well as any other race?

I hear some politicians, even the Malay ones, talk about such things and yet when all is said and done, there remains the incessant demand to maintain the privileges.