Any illusion about the supposedly good intentions of Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposed unity talks with PAS is now shattered by none other than the man himself.

Mahathir let out more than he intended when he publicly declared that true purpose of the talks was to protect the special rights of the Malays, defend Malay language and religion, and safeguard the special position of the sultans.

It was certainly not in his world view to discus national unity and integration or to debate pressing social and judicial matters such as bailout of cronies, wasteful mega-projects or loss of confidence in the judiciary.

The narrow non-issues that Mahathir envisioned as the purpose of the unity talks reveal his ugly agenda more eloquently than a dozen opposition speeches can.

The fact that these are non-issues should be evident to all. The special rights of the Malays, language, religion and the special position of the sultans are securely provided for in the constitution. Just who is threatening these rights? Certainly not the non-Malays who by no stretch of imagination can achieve the necessary political power required to change the constitution.

So what is the real purpose of bringing together Malay-based political parties to discuss these non-issues? Is it to whip up and unite Malay sentiments against a common enemy, imaginary though it must be in the present scenario? And who would this 'enemy' be?

In a multi-cultural society, racial unity is anathema to national unity. Emphasis should be given to racial integration rather than racial unity. Unity along racial lines actually provides strong challenges to national unity.

It is sad that we have politicians who are prepared to create an atmosphere of racial fear and tension to cling on to power. That it is the prime minister himself who is prepared to do this is cause for anguish among all Malaysians.