I refer to the AFP report [#1] Don't face the 'same fate' as in Singapore, Malays warned [/#] (April 8), quoting Umno's Mustapa Mohamad as saying, "Don't let the opposition rule this country or else you would suffer the same fate as Malays in Singapore."

This is the kind of statement that political leaders must train themselves not to make. It is immature and irresponsible. By saying so, Mustapa has made meritocracy something negative or undesirable.

If these Malay politicians do not have anything bright or positive to say they should just shut up. They should be saying to themselves, "If we Malay politicians and leaders continue to behave the way we do, not only the Malays but the whole nation will suffer." They need to remind themselves that Malay rights are not forever and Malays are not the only voters. Get real. If the Malays themselves choose to abuse their 'rights' they should not expect sympathy from the non-Malays.

Has Umno completely loss its sense ( tak ada modal lagi? ). Umno needs to have a hard look at itself, the quality of its leaders. It needs to get rid of its deadwood and has-beens. In other words, it needs to practise meritocracy. Malays inside and outside Umno must be taught that their long-term survival rests on meritocracy and not on some rights. In some ways these rights have contributed to their lack of merit.

If Malays suffer the 'same fate' they have only themselves to blame. The sooner they stop blaming others the sooner will they sedar diri (wake up). A Malay, I think my success in life has been through merit rather than special rights. My children know that and, God willing, so will their and their children's success.