The cake is big enough for all and as Malaysians, we want the best for every community. Let us address the need and not the race if Vision 2020 is to have any meaning, says a reader.

On Racialising research: The Asli report debacle

Sadirah K: When academics have presented their reports, it is only appropriate to critique these with counter-arguments and facts that provide us with another way of looking at the same issue. All this broadens the scope of the inquiry and provides us with an avenue to adjust or come up with adequate fresh policies and initiatives to deal with the issues at hand.

In a multiethnic nation like Malaysia, the best way to dampen or kill of any initiative is to racialise it. This immediately places it under the ambit of 'sensitive' issues, which in effect means sweeping the issue under the carpet.

We must understand that a person's 'race' is not a value. Even the NEP was motivated by the need for social justice. We must realise that all these studies and efforts by those like Asli and Dr Lim Teck Ghee are done with a view to achieving a just and fair society for all Malaysians.

Let us be motivated by such values which are more transcendent then defining everything in terms of race. If we continue along this line, not only will we of all races deny our own faiths, we will also begin to de-humanise one another. There is enough in the world for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed so said Mahatma Gandhi.

The cake is big enough for all and as Malaysians, we want the best for every community. Let us address the need and not the race if Vision 2020 is to have any meaning. Sadly, the biggest stumbling blocks to such a worldview are our narrow-minded and small-hearted politicians.

On Flaws in EPU's apparent methodology

Wong Kin Mun: The article by LJ Wong on the apparent methodology used by the EPU is very enlightening. It shows how the EPU, or any other organisation, can manipulate information to their advantage.

But what bothers me is that the people working in the EPU (professionals I presume in their line of work) are willing to be part and parcel of this ludicrous exercise. Assuming the people who worked on this project are mainly accountants or economists, then their professional training should tell them that what they are doing is wrong. And they have a choice not to participate in the exercise. The fact that it is done, just shows the level of integrity and professionalism of the people doing the work.

It's like a structural engineer purposely designing a sub-standard building because his boss tells him to so that they can save money. If the building collapses, that's the problem of the owner. The professional engineer has every right to refuse to do his boss's bidding and should quit if pressed.

Where is the integrity, professionalism and conscience of those who work in the EPU? Can they sleep at night?

On NEP will destroy the Malays

Steven Choon: I am glad that at least some Malay Malaysians are seeing the underlying problems of the NEP. All parents will know that when we encourage our babies to stand up by first giving them a helping hand, and when after they can stand up we will slowly let go of our hands to allow our babies to learn to balance himself/herself. Our babies will not be able to stand without any aid if we do not let go after a while.

Are our politicians lack such wisdom? I certainly do not believe so. They just want to keep the NEP for the purposes of creating a few billionaires among themselves.

On Mat Rempit sudah melampau, kata Musa Hassan

Ishak: I read with deep concern on the activities of Mat Rempit. They are so daring lately, creating a menace to the Malaysian society and foreigners. As Malaysians, we are disgraced with their actions; snatching handbags, not only physically hurting some people but some have been killed by their inconsiderate actions. How are we to welcome visitors to the country?

The new legislation by the government to toughen the law such as confiscating the motorbikes and suspending the driving licences of the Mat Rempits in my opinion will not succeed if mandatory caning is not included. Criminals are only afraid of the cane and nothing else. Singapore has proven to experience very few social problems as practically all crimes are followed by the cane!