I refer to the Malaysiakini article Meritocracy in perspective .

Dr Collin Abraham seems to suggest we do nothing to balance the ethnic mix in the civil sector till more job openings are made available to Malays in the private sector and others.

Otherwise, he says, it will make ‘the existing fragile political system even more susceptible to ethnic and racial tensions within possible potential conflict situations’.

That sounds like the same argument that ruling politicians have been trotting out all these years - don't touch our privileges, otherwise we won't be able to control our angry followers.

Abraham should know that keeping the status quo is just as dangerous - or perhaps even more so.

Let's be clear, ending the domination of the civil service by one ethnic group will trigger unhappiness - that is the nature of privileges - once you have it you won't want to give it up.

What is needed is for politicians to put aside short term political ambitions and convince their followers to accept the fact that things have to change for the good of the nation.

This is a job for the politicians - not the private sector.