In utter sadness, I cannot but state that there is a need for a more moderate voice to be heard in the battle against political, religious and racial radicalism in this country following what was clearly seen last week at the recent Umno general assembly.

These 'next generation of politicians', to my mind, were utterly disgraceful. There was no need for any quarter to engage in fiery speeches with a kris in one hand. No one is threatening nor intending to abuse any one quarter's rights and needs.

No one had - prior to the Umno assembly - even engaged in any discourse touching on any one's constitutionally guaranteed rights and privileges. Yet, like a mantra, certain individuals (perhaps bankrupt of ideas) had to needlessly resort to bringing up this sensitive issue.

Embarrassingly, lessons have not been learnt even by those who have had their education in the West. Nor is there awareness of the seeds of distrust that can be sown by impatient politicians through fiery speeches devoid of substance but presented all the same for personal gain.

It would have been more meaningful if they had used the same energy against those of their own kind who had betrayed and manipulated handouts for immediate short-term gains out of perverse greed.

It was certainly not the marginalised minority or the other races in this land at whom this anger should be directed at.