Letter writer QC Rozario declared himself an ex-Malaysian or at least no longer living in Malaysia. Well, I have news for him: They do not need his defending.

By any measure, as an ethnic group, Malay Malaysians are doing very well. They have so enmeshed themselves in the political fabric of this country that they are the only political force of any real influence in Malaysia.

They have controlled the political direction of this country since independence. Since then, Malaysia has had political stability and real economic growth. These are no mean achievements by any reckoning. To crown this, there are numerous magnificent architectural monuments attesting to their glory and religion in this modern era.

As it is, there is no threat to their political control. Even now it is inconceivable that they will lose political control. The ruling political party may change but it will still be a predominantly Malay party or coalition that will be in control.

With this political control, Malay Malaysians have at their command the total resources of the nation.

If they are insecure, it is from trying to perpetuate this total control, not from the lack of it.

It is not uncommon to milk this insecurity. Local politicians do that all the time. They find a sensitive spot and work on it, declaring themselves the wira (warriors) defending the maruah (honour) of their bangsa (race). It is a quick way into the political mainstream and thus access to the economic resources that total political control affords. It is an old trick, performed many times over by politicians.

It is a credit to Malay Malaysians that this trick is no longer as effective. At least not to the Malay Malaysians I know.

Rozario is not able to perform the trick convincingly as he is not a Malay Malaysian, let alone living in this country.