I am not all surprised by the many brickbats thrown at my letter. To expect anything less will be a disappointment.

First of all, let me say that I find it difficult to fathom the non-Malays opposition to Malay special rights and privileges considering that the number of rich non-Malays far outnumbers that of the Malays themselves.

Yes, the special rights and privileges make the non-Malays feel like second-class citizens but what the heck, rich second class non-Malays are a lot better off than the first-class Malays.

I can go on along this line forever but it is not going to take us anywhere. My aim in bringing up this issue is because non-Malays still believe that the only way forward for this country is do away with the special rights and privileges.

It is easier said than done as it is tied down to that social contract that has united Malaysians since Merdeka.

Let me ask you detractors out there. Why is that it is alright to remove these special privileges which do not seem to hamper the non-Malays from enriching themselves but it is not ok to touch things important to non-Malays such as vernacular education?

My point here is that we should preserve the peace and retain the social contract. Attempts to tear up this social contract in the name of international conformity and so-called fair play will be the biggest mistake peace-lovings Malaysians can ever make.