Ahmad Sukri in 'Just do the right thing Dr M' (May 22) need not have to worry. It is out of character for our prime minister to prioritise popular things over what he thinks is the right thing to do. His motives are however not necessarily identical with that of the writer.

Umno's accepting Chinese members of Sabah's Akar party is not necessarily a prelude to dissolution of ethnic-based parties within Barisan Nasional in the peninsula. It is simply a move for BN to consolidate its position in Sabah, and then Sarawak. With East Malaysia secured, and Johor safe in solid support, together with some support from various west coast states in the peninsula, BN cannot lose in the next election even if Pahang and Kedah go to the opposition.

At this moment, it does not look like a harbinger of a single multiethnic party in Malaysia.

Besides, whether or not ridding of separate ethnic-based parties and combining all under one multi-ethnic party will rid the country off the scourge of racial politics remains a moot and debatable point.

Meanwhile, I am still trying to understand the difference between the two. (However, with the state of MCA's popularity amongst Chinese constituents at this moment, I am not surprised that if Umno opens its doors in the peninsula, more Chinese will join it than MCA, for at least Umno can get things done!)

Certainly the PM will face no pressure at all from MCA or Gerakan in his appointing two special Chinese assistants.

The appointment, like that of the two special economic advisers, shows that increasingly the PM wants to make his policies based on his own personal judgments derived from an inner caucus of trusted personal advisers (rather than depend on MCA, Gerakan or the finance minister).

It signifies a centralisation rather than decentralisation of decision-making and powers in one man. The PM is totally on top of all things. He now sidelines when he thinks he cannot get the relevant input and advice from these traditional sources of feedback. Henceforth, he will make the strategic moves without anyone else knowing what is on his mind.

It will be interesting to watch.