I refer to the Malaysiakini report Zaid: Ketuanan Melayu has failed.

It is absurd for Syed Hamid Syed Albar the home minister to call on the former law minister Zaid Ibrahim to apologise to the Malays. What Zaid said was his true and based on his inner feelings so as to create a respectful and competitive Malay community.

Zaid himself is an excellent example in this regard. He runs the largest legal firm in Asia. That was achieved through his sheer hard work, erudition, excellent planning and good execution of business strategies. All Malaysians are really very proud of his achievement and in particular, all Malays should be the proudest.

Yet the world may say that Zaid’s achievements were due to the NEP and special privileges. Being a great achiever, it is an insult to him if anyone thinks in this manner. Perhaps some did comment negatively as such and that may have motivated him even more in bringing out the competitive spirit in his new generation of Malays.

Hence, he frankly commented that Ketuanan Melayu has done more harm to the new generation of Malays in diminishing their desire to excel and meet challenges in life like the other races. The Umno leaders can claim that many Malays have done very well under Umno regime. But these Malays, with an exception of a few like Zaid Ibrahim, are Umno-sponsored relatives and their members.

Surely the 2,000 Umno delegates and their relatives are well-placed. But Zaid Ibrahim is genuinely concerned about the 15 million Malays in this country just as the Hindraf leaders are concerned about the 2.5 million Indians in this country of which about 300,000 including grandparents, parents and children do not have birth certificates (BCs) or MyKads.

Many of them are working as slaves in remote and interior areas under cruel and unscrupulous landlords and contractors who have political and other influence over the authorities to perpetuate slavery in this country. All because these Indians are deemed ‘stateless’.

The MIC has failed them miserably. When these poor souls’ marriages are not registered, their children are deprived of BCs. Hence, it is a vicious circle. The law is, therefore, an ass! The blame is only on illiteracy and ignorance. The political system must take the blame and responsibility for this chaos.

The former menteri besar of Selangor Mohd Khir Toyo said during March 8 election rallies that in Selangor alone there are about 50,000 Indians without birth certificates or MyKads. My estimate of 300,000 Indians without MyKads is therefore a conservative figure for the whole country.

However, I am glad that the MIC is at least now taking some positive steps following the intervention of the sultan of Perak (May God bless His Highness) in the case of an Indian family. Even in that case, Syed Hamid was only defensive of the system without any remorse.

Therefore Zaid Ibrahim’s concern for the 15 million Malays in the country is genuine. He wants the Malays to excel in education, business and in every sphere of life so that they can be champions and become great achievers when facing global competition. We won’t learn well and fully if things are given on a silver platter. Therefore it is silly to ask Zaid to apologize.

Syed Hamid is a cunning politician. He banned Hindraf, a non-political organisation, for fighting for the genuine causes of the poor Indians. He did this when he was seeking nominations for the Umno vice-president’s position and that decision helped him get the required nominations.

Again, by chiding Zaid Ibrahim and demanding an apology, this greatly enhances his chances in the forthcoming Umno elections. It is all a political game to meet selfish ends at the expense of innocent people.

Malaysians must appreciate the fact that Hindraf created a wave of political awareness (Maakal Sakti - People’s Power) in this country though it was not even a political party. One grave mistake the Hindraf leaders made whilst attacking Umno’s shortcomings was that they also attacked the innocent Malays without distinction.

For this, the Hindraf leaders must apologise to the majority of Malays who are innocent and who are good people. But I am still wondering how a society can be de-registered or dissolved when it is not even registered.? It has been declared ‘illegal’.

Syed Hamid talks so much of crime and illegality as home minister yet he himself stands accused of vote-buying for his party election.

Most politicians live only by selfish political consciousness and have no conscience or compassion for others. If there are politicians of good conscience, they would have released the five Hindraf leaders long ago and would not have arrested family members and even a child for submitting a petition for the release of these leaders.

The police have lost their neutrality and independence and have become ruthless in serving only their political masters. Otherwise they would not applied the ISA to arrest Raja Petra for only being candid in his writings.

Anwar Ibrahim, having gone through hell in his life, wants to change the face of Malaysia. He now dares not make a political mistake of any sort having learnt many bitter lessons in his life. He now has a clear mind and conscience for the rakyat.

Let us give him a chance for change. There are many Malay politicians who are sincere, compassionate, conscientious and they should join Anwar in leading the nation towards a change for a much better Malaysia for all.