The latest suggestion by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that 10 percent of Matriculation places be allocated to non-bumiputra further exposes the Barisan Nasional government's insincerity regarding racial integrity. If the government is sincere about national unity and racial harmony, they would have taken a step further to remove all forms of discriminatory policies against the non-bumiputra.

As long as discrimination is being practised, in the name of 'affirmative action' or whatever you want to call it, someone is being discriminated against. I believe that the PM's latest attempt is to win votes from the non-Malays for the upcoming general election.

Everyone should see through BN's 'divide and concur' tactics by now, which has been used time after time. Affirmative actions can be introduced to help all the poor and needy. That was the idea, wasn't it? But is it only the Malay poor who needs help? What about the other legitimate poor Malaysian citizens, bred here but happened to born with different skin colour? Are they any less needy just because they don't have Malay parents?

The BN government's legacy has also created filthy rich corporate cronies, similar to those in Indonesia. These are the same group of people who are enjoying the benefits given to the poor! Expensive properties are discounted an almost 10 percent for them even though they can afford it while many of the poor non-bumiputra have to live in squatter areas.

What kind of a policy is that? Aren't these poor non-bumiputra born here as well? Doesn't the Constitution guarantee their citizenship the day they were born here? Why are they treated like second-class citizens?