I'm sure that many non-Malays, such as myself, were shocked to read the statements by Badruddin Amiruldin at the Umno general assembly last week.

'Do not disturb the hornet's nest, or the hornets will come out in full force and attack'? This is an irresponsible remark that reeks of racism from any angle. Furthermore, he stressed that non-Malays should not question the rights of the Malays.

I'm not sure which country Badruddin been living in for the past few decades. The non-Malays have never raised any discontent over the discounts bumiputeras get for property purchases. The non-Malays have accepted for a fact that almost all of the government's monetary assistance towards education scholarships and entrepreneur loans are directed towards the Malays.

The above are only two examples of many. If they do not point to the non-Malays' acknowledgement of Malay rights, what does?

Issuing such subtle threats is a typical strategy of fear-instilling race-based politics, a total antithesis of the global outlook that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is imploring everyone to adopt.

None can forget the race riots of the past and none want to see it happen again. It is highly unnecessary for a member of parliament to insinuate racial or sectarian conflict in order to highlight his point, whatever the issue may be.

Furthermore, Badruddin was quoted as saying: 'This is our right in our country'. This statement is correct but the context in which he says it is inappropriate. I would suggest tha Badruddin gain at least a slight understanding of the history of pre- and post-independence Malaya/Malaysia.

It doesn't take much to discover that Malaysia was built by Malaysians from all races and all walks of life, and independence for the country was fought for by all and not just by the Malays. The non-Malays also played extremely crucial roles in the development and growth of the country.

The recipe for Malaysia's success is the symbiosis between all races, working hand-in-hand. What's all this talk about 'our country'? Is he implying that non-Malays are still immigrants and do not belong here?

It is high time we leave behind such racial chauvinism and forge ahead as Malaysians. After 47 years of independence, it would be silly to continue practising partisan politics like this. Leaders with such ideologies do not belong on the global stage.