I read with amusement how certain quarters calling for a return to the NEP and against meritocracy seem not to see the illogical arguments which pander to race-based politics.

The original argument for the NEP was that the bumiputeras are disadvantaged and hence require special allocation of opportunities. However, it is clear today that the same problem exist among the bumiputera which is highlighted by the issue of uneven distribution of APs.

There now exists Umnoputeras that are far more skilled and knowledgeable and with access to capital than say any rural bumiputeras. It follows that the disadvantage bumiputeras require an affirmative action that favours them against the Umnoputeras.

In fact, the NEP is an even worse policy to follow because the Umnoputeras, which are harder to define as a group, have many more advantages of being able to exploit the special opportunities allocated to bumiputeras compared to non-bumiputeras.

The NEP will thus only make even fewer opportunities available for disadvantaged bumiputeras. In other words, the same argument for the NEP is the same argument against the NEP.

The crux is that the divide among the bumiputeras are now bigger than the divide between the races. Notice how the poor tend to be friendlier with each other regardless of race?

Umno would like to pretend that the divide among the bumiputeras are not great and I believe the PM would like to believe that too, at least in spirit of Islamic brotherhood. However, if it is true the divide is now great, then the abolishment of NEP would be far, far better than continuing it. It is just a technical thing and has nothing to do with ideology or point of view.