As a non-Bumiputra citizen of Malaysia, what is it that I want for myself and my family? Which of the two political realities in the country would best serve the needs and aspirations of my children and grandchildren, 10, 20 and 30 years down the line?

Well, first and foremost, I want equal opportunities, true recognition of my worth as an individual, irrespective of my race or religion, scholarships for my children and government support to venture into business - as is being provided for Bumiputras.

In short I want to be recognised as a Malaysian, not as an Indian holding a Malaysian citizenship.

Let me now see which of the two political forces stand for the agenda I wish for. The answer I get is - neither.

Both political factions are openly skewed in favour of maintaining the Bumiputra/non-Bumiputra divide. Which means irrespective of the outcome of the next general elections, I am still going to be among the disadvantaged lot.

OK, fine, no problem. Thirty years of being marginalised has its own advantages. I have learned to be resilient and competitive and have developed an ability to survive on my own steam.

What I really need is a peaceful and reasonably stable environment to work in, bring up the children, conduct business and make a living.

Now, let me see which of the two political forces, Barisan Nasional (BN) or Barisan Alternatif (BA), will be able to provide me with at least these basic minimums.

BN may be corrupt to the core. They might abuse liberties of the citizenry. And their paramount leader did treat Anwar - and by extension his family - badly. But then, BN does have some proven experience in political and economic governance.

BA, on the other hand, is by all reasoning, a far nobler and just alternative. However, despite being a coalition of four opposition parties, it is overly monopolised by PAS - as Islamic party which is bent on creating an Islamic State and enforcing Hudud law.

Now, how do all these concerns of PAS relate to me? At the very least, I am confused about what PAS stands for. At worst, I am scared stiff by what might happen if PAS comes to power and manages to change the Constitution such that general elections as we know it are outlawed.

Pardon my ignorance, but worse things have happened in other countries where fundamental Islamists have come to power.

I know, I should think things through more rationally and carefully. But if my country had treated me as a Malaysian instead of as an Indian with a Malaysian citizenship, I certainly would think along nobler lines.

But here I am being treated as a 'third-class citizen'. And all I am sure about is that no one, and I mean absolutely no one, is going to help a 'third-class citizen'.

For all the posturing by the Bumiputra community on justice and fairness, I have not personally come across a single Bumiputra willing to forego his special privileges.

I have never heard anyone say 30 years of protection is enough, let's level the playing field for all Malaysians.

The harsh reality is that I, the 'third-class citizen', will always have to fend for myself. I will have to get by with my own wits and means.

So I cannot afford the luxury of viewing the political scene from a nobler, elevated plain. By necessity, I have to be acutely conscious of how my bread is buttered.

I think I will play it safe and vote for BN.

AK Velu