We are at the cross roads. We have moved from being a one-party state to being a two-party state. We appear to be moving from race-based parties and ethnic politics to multiethnic parties addressing the needs of all Malaysians irrespective of ethnicity.

There is uneasiness. Many Malays are uneasy at what these changes mean for them. And this uneasiness is understandable given the fact the politics and governance have been conducted on the basis of race since independence.

There appears also to be fear. Fear amongst many in the old guard at what a new government will mean for them.

And this is also understandable given the fact that this is the first time in our history that the Umno-led coalition is threatened.

Are the interests of the Malays under threat? Is the so called ‘social contract’ of the Malays being torn apart ? Does the challenge to the concept of Ketuanan Melayu by non-Malays pose a threat to the identity of the Malays ?

I think that PKR as the alternative party is good for the country. I think the fact that the DAP and PAS could come together with PKR to form a coalition government is a major breakthrough in Malaysian politics. In the long term both will have to modulate their agendas to accommodate a platform that will appeal to all races.

The Malays need never fear PAS or PKR compromising the interests of the Malays. The Malays need never fear a situation where a non-Malay majority will rule the country. The demography of the country simply makes that impossible. And given the fact that the Malays constitute the majority of the armed forces in this country, Malay interests will never be in jeopardy.

But there will be changes. There must be changes. The position of the minorities must be addressed whether they are the minority Indians or Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia or the indigenous races of Sabah and Sarawak.

How could we have allowed 1.75 million foreigners (more than the native population) to come into Sabah? How is that good for us? How could Sabah move from being the second wealthiest state of Malaysia to the poorest? How could our poverty rate be 3.5% for the whole of Malaysia and 20 % in East Malaysia?

How did we allow the Indians to become so marginalised? And what have we done to the Orang Asli? And why are there still so many Malay poor after 50 years of independence and after 40 years of the NEP?

A new style of governance is required. New ideas are required. We now have the opportunity to see opposition policies being tried out in governance. And the BN should also learn from the lessons of failure.

Our people are more educated. They are more globalised in their orientation. Do not underestimate them.

We are a wealthy country. And there is enough for all. But that only provided if our resources are used prudently to achieve maximum benefit for all. Our oil and gas resources are finite. In 2015, we will run out of oil and gas. Between now and then, we must develop alternative sources of revenue.

We must invest in our people. Give them the best education that our money can give us. And they will then work for the nation.

Is the ‘social contract’ at risk ? To the extent that these issues are captured in our constitution they will be safeguarded. The non-Malays do not have any problem with the Malay Rulers; they have wholeheartedly accepted them even if, from time to time, there are differences of opinion as to where the authority of the ruler extends or where the authority of civil government ends.

The non-Malays accept the position of Islam under our constitution even as they challenge the assertion that Malaysia is an Islamic state. And the non-Malays do not question the NEP as formulated but have serious concerns as to how it has been implemented.

Is it not conceivable that the Malays themselves will rise to the challenges of global competition? And will it not be a good start for Malaysians irregardless of ethnicity to work together for the benefit of the nation as a whole to secure the long-term interests of the country ?

I urge all Malaysians to commit themselves to making a multiethnic Malaysia work for the benefit of all.