It was high time that this controversy surrounding the [#1]17-point appeal[/#] submitted by Suqiu during the 1999 elections be resolved, amicably at that too. The DPM's call for all parties to rescind from aggravating the matter and blowing it into a full-scale racial war should be commended, albeit a bit late.

But in the usual Malaysian government process of decision making, there needs to be time, sometimes too long, to wait and lament on the best decision. Let's just hope this one will be a good one.

We were also pleasantly surprised when one Hishammuddin Hussein of Umno Youth decided enough was enough, and against popular party sentiment, went out of his way in trying to further diffuse the cliffhanger of a situation. He was brave enough to take Umno Youth away from the mainstream chauvinistic thinking.

It is commendable that Umno Youth (of all people), had decided to take the first step towards reconciliation with Suqiu by extending an offer to meet with them and discuss the whole matter in a frank, honest and open discussion.

It was too good an opportunity for Suqiu to miss. Having been portrayed as an extremist group, it was also time for them to prove that they are not and to also send their message across. It would be interesting to note of the outcome.

Umno Youth, in taking this step, is finally using its head instead of its emotion to deal with this mini-crisis that should not have occurred in the first place. When we start to use our brains instead of brawn, we will realise that there's so much that can be achieved positively if we all sit down together quietly and resolve it.

This apparent lull however, has been blown off again by the stupid and racist sentiments of one GPMS, a nave and irresponsible organisation claiming to represent all the Malay students within the Peninsular. What a joke of an organisation. It was dormant for quite some time, more so after its most venerable figure, one Anwar Ibrahim, was removed from all political office.

That Shuhaimi Ibrahim is closely connected with him is not a well kept secret. That Shuhaimi's management and approach in steering this organisation directly into the storm blindly is also another Anwar trademark. The only thing is that Anwar is not the one behind the charade. It is Shuhaimi, who is politically inept in making sound judgments, who is making a mockery of his status as president of the organisation.

I believe many of its members will laugh at his notion, a 100-point demand and a demonstration against Suqiu, unless and until the latter retracted all its appeals. What rubbish! First they say they are willing to meet Suqiu and resolve the differences provided Suqiu retract some of its controversial appeals with regard to Malay rights. Now they want Suqiu to remove all appeals.

This is a very childish, malicious and racially irresponsible act which should be lambasted and exposed for its sole intention to promote Shuhaimi's political ego. He can never claim outside interference to save his skin this time, since the government itself has taken the conciliatory stand on Suqiu.

Malays everywhere will be ashamed of GPMS, and what it now stands for. It tries to be poignant and aggressive, but all for the wrong reasons. It is not the time for Malays to exercise their "hak ketuanan Melayu" and suddenly agitate hatred towards the Malays.

They should be responsible enough to accept that in plural, modern Malaysia, some things will have to change, and some things need to be discussed and not forced upon like a few past government policies. Using your head, instead of your emotions, is the better option to amicably resolve this issue and avoid another potential political disaster.

Stop being chauvinistic and paganistic. In this holiest of all Muslim months, reconciliation and not apprehension should win the day. GPMS must stop this childish behaviour.