COMMENT If Nazri Abdul Aziz, the Tourism and Culture Minister, could take on incompetent MCA and MIC leaders, I am sure he could also take on similar leaders in his own party, Umno. As Nazri himself might realise that there are far more problems in Umno than in the overly dependent MCA, Gerakan or MIC.

It is not that I want to comment on the altercation between Nazri and his counterparts in the MCA and MIC. Nazri, by pointing to the fact of the dismal performance of MIC and MCA in the recent general elections, has basically underlined the obvious truth that both these political parties are overly dependent on Umno.

This is something that both these parties must admit and not say that Nazri should not make his statements in the open. Nazri might not be diplomatic and he might not subscribe to the "scratch my back and I will scratch yours" principle, but he is quite a blunt politician. He does not really care what even Umno leaders think of him.

Well, if MCA or MIC leaders are dependent on Malay votes for their past victories, then there is something seriously wrong with these political parties. MCA is a party that has not done anything for the Chinese over the years. Its leaders have gained electoral victories as result of Malay voters.

Similarly, MIC is a disgraceful party and is headed by a former medical doctor who was parachuted in the party to safeguard and advance the financial interests of a former leader. He has ended up alienating more than half of the total membership of MIC, the group that is aligned with former MIC president G Palanivel.

While BN can sort out its internal problems, sometimes in this country where everything is seen from a zero sum game, there is a need for leaders, although unpopular, to rise above the party divide and give credit where it is due.

Nazri is certainly a leader who can rise above party lines and say what needs to be said. He praised Lim Guan Eng, the current chief minister for Penang, simply on the grounds he (Lim) has good support amongst the Chinese and Indians.

There is no point for MCA and MIC to prolong their stay within the fold of BN on the basis of their limited support. Both these parties will lose whatever credibility that exists at the moment.

Rather than getting upset over the remarks made by Nazri, I suggest that both these parties do some soul-searching and ascertain why Chinese and Indians continue to reject them. What is the point of these few ministers enjoying perks and privileges if the entire non-Malay community is going to be exposed to the dangers of Umno's racism and religious obscurantism?

Speak up on PM

Nazri is no saint for he continues to back Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak despite the growing political pressure for the latter to quit politics. Since he is the only Umno leader who can call "a spade, a spade", perhaps many look upon him to bring about some changes in Umno.

Most importantly, it is not enough to call for the resignation of the MCA or MIC leaders, he should also point out to the evils of Umno. At the end of the day, Malaysians are aware the real problem in the country is not MCA, Gerakan or MIC, but the kind of politics embedded in Umno.

Surely, Nazri is also aware that Malay support for political parties is pretty much divided.

Umno is not in any moral position to claim that it has undivided Malay support. In fact, over the years, Malay support for Umno has declined. Even if Malays loyal to Umno support the other component parties, their support for BN is on the decline. Courting PAS is dangerous and comes with dire implications.

Nazri has the ability to rise beyond sectarian politics, but he should not just focus on the weak non-Malay political parties within BN. Yes, their leaders have been elected by Malay votes, but then Umno as the dominant political party has its own set of problems.

Corruption, abuse of power and financial scandals continue to plague the party. While he has taken on the weaklings in BN, I challenge him to take to task those Umno leaders who are leading the country and its people nowhere.

P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the state assemblyperson for Perai.