It was indeed disappointing to read Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's comment that Chinese extremism will breed Malay extremism that will result in racial fights. While Malaysians envisage a united Malaysian community free of racism, Mahathir exploits racist issues to keep the people in check.

Malaysians are weary of politicians evoking fears of racial clashes. The elected should be more responsible in statements that harped on racism. If Mahathir is genuine in his desire to unify the country, he should be more democratic and shed all power abuses.

What Malaysians yearn for is justice and fairness, not political intrigues that ignore the aspiration of the human spirit for universal goodness. Mahathir has overplayed on the fear of the people and is exploiting this fear to detract from his political predicament.

People are scared into not questioning how the country is being managed. Many fair-minded Malaysians are however convinced that Mahathir is to be blamed for much of the country's mess.

He should be judicious enough to admit his failings and solve the innumerable problems with honesty for the good of the country.