The non-Malays have no choice but to accept the dominant position of the Malays. The Malays as the majority will always dominate Malaysian politics. The Malays will always control the cabinet, civil service, police, military, but that will never be an issue for the others. Their minority status is a reality. This should not however mean that the non-Malays are not equal under the constitution and full members of the Malaysian society. Or that non-Malays are not to be accorded equal treatment under the law. Special rights should not mean that Malays are somehow "more equal" than the non-Malays.

There is general acceptance by non-Malays of the special assistance given to the Malays given their relative backwardness in some areas. It is in the interest of all Malaysians that the Malays and any other community that lagging behind should be brought up to par. The non-Malays want the Malays to succeed as soon as possible. The non-Malays want the Malays to become competitive. If the Malays fail in their efforts the whole nation fails. The challenges of globalisation require Malaysia as a nation and Malaysians as a people to be competitive. All Malaysians must swim together in the tide of globalisation.

The question of special assistance for the Malays is not therefore an issue. Give Malays who need help all the assistance they need. And also look after those in need irrespective of race, which should also not be an issue.

At issue is the effectiveness of the current strategies for helping the Malays. At issue is assistance for needy non-Malays. At issue are the rights of non-Malays to practice their religions freely. And this means the right of Hindus, Buddhists and Christians to build their temples and churches without interference on the design and size of such buildings. At issue is the state of the rule of law in the country and of our democratic institutions and traditions. At issue is the state of race relations in this country.

A new agenda must be set for the nation. The strategies to uplift the Malays and needy non-Malays must be discussed and agreement reached on the appropriate strategies. Chinese participation on any strategy is essential given their business acumen. No school can be better for the learning of business enterprise and entrepreneurship than the real business environment. And Chinese businessmen must work with Malay businessmen. And Indians must also work with Chinese and Malay businessmen. If done wholeheartedly the result will be a much better one then having each go his own way as if the other cannot be trusted.

I think that the analogy of Genghis Khan, by Mohd Iqbal in his letter [#1] 'Ketuanan Melayu' is historical [/#] (Feb 8), to describe the Chinese, was an unfortunate one. It suggests conquest and plunder. It should not be applied to those who are enterprising and hardworking.

All Malaysians should participate in nation-building. Our motto should be: Have friends of another race. Have business partners of other races. Secure the nation. For yourself and for your children. All for one and one for all.