I am one of your regular readers and I normally keep an open mind, and keep my opinions to myself, on all letters and articles published here, be they pro- or anti-government.

However, I was encouraged to write to you with regard to the letter by Max Sterling ([#1] Is Barisan Nasional multiracial?[/#] Feb 10). The writer seems to have overlooked a few points.

Firstly, Barisan Nasional is not a party. It is a coalition of a few racial-based parties. It is not right to make a comparision between BN and PAS or DAP. A BN equivalent in entity is Barisan Alternatif. The BN concept was introduced by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, our first premier, and it has served Malaysia well ever since.

Secondly, it is not right to say that PAS is a multiracial party. PAS is a religion-based party. Under PAS' constitution, you must be a Muslim to be a member. On the other hand, Umno is a Bumiputra party. Any person who is a Bumiputra, not necessarily a Muslim, can become an Umno member. There is one Umno MP and one Umno state assemblyman who are Christians.

Thirdly, the writer failed to mention about the Malayan Union and the New Economic Policy, to give a more balanced overall view to his opinion. Please bear in mind, the Malays didn't simply got up one morning and demand the 30 percent share in the economy. There were events, clearly recorded in history books, that led to the present situation.