I refer to the letter by Shaukat Ali ('Demographic changes will ensure PAS victory').

While I will not delve into his analysis about why he think the demographics in this country will ensure certain victory of PAS by 2020, I wish to take to task his last paragraph. He said:

"So, are we going to see a mad, lemming-like rush to the exits among those of us who are disenchanted and those who believe that there is no future for them in Malaysia? Will more hospitable shores beckon with their siren song of equality and meritocracy? Stay tuned. The game is well afoot."

People like Shaukat Ali always try to paint non-Malays in this country as opportunists who will jump at the sight of a better opportunity. That we are people who are here just to exploit Malaysia.

For your information, most, if not all non-Malays don't have any ties to their alleged "homelands" anymore. I have no other homeland but my home in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. I do not care if Samy Vellu visits India or Sri Lanka. I also do not care if Chandrika Kumaratunga visits Malaysia more than I would care if John Howard would grace our soil. My great grandmother probably would, but for the people of my generation and my parents generation, Malaysia is all I know. It is my "tanah tumpah darahku". I know that many other non-Malays share my sentiments.

The likes of Mr Shaukat must understand that while many non-Malays have left the country due to the discriminatory policies institutionalised by the National Economic Policy (NEP), many of us also understand the importance it played in ensuring equal distribution of wealth in this country. It would be naive to say otherwise. However, the time has come now for a review on how the policy is applied. I am for one, a strong backer of the ideals that the NEP should be shifted from the current race-centric approach to an approach that uses a means test to justify affirmative action.

I'm not running away from it, neither do I actively seek so-called greener pastures to avoid it. As a Malaysian, I lobby for it in my own personal way, which includes writing my views in my own website and through independent channels like malaysiakini. I do all of this because I believe it will be good for Malaysia - not because I'm a non-Malay.

But Mr Shaukat's statement does not only imply that the non-Malays in this country are not loyal. His statement also tacitly assumed that Malays in this country are willing to continue to push for discriminatory policies against their other Malaysian brethren.

This is a statement I refuse to accept and is false. Malaysians - regardless of race are now beginning to slowly accept the fact that discrimination by virtue of race is unacceptable. As a school boy, I had friends apologising to me about the fact that they had a chance to get into MRSM's (Mara Junior Science College) although I didn't because of my race. These people are the most progressive people I've met in a long time and still remain one of my best of friends.

I know of many Malays who truly and honestly believe that the NEP and the Islamic state will not bode well for national integration in this country, and have engaged with me in lively debates about it. The outspoken Hishamuddin Rais is perhaps the biggest example of this. Mr Shaukat's statement does gross injustice to these forward looking people.

So, Mr Shaukat and all who think non-Malays are leechers, please stop making such racist statements. True, some have moved abroad, but to the millions more that continue to serve and contribute to this nation, Malaysia is our only home. It will definitely continue to be my family's

home for many years to come. In fact, even those who have chosen to stay abroad continue to actively maintain ties with this country - not their alleged 'homelands'.

This lemming is not going anywhere - PAS or no PAS.