The submission and the detraction of the memorandum by the nine non-Muslim ministers and the emotional outbursts that followed amply illustrates:

(i) that the 'sensitive' issues are so sensitive that even the BN partners are unsure as to the mode of bringing up these matters to the top leadership of the country;

(ii) that the top leaders in the country are not sensitive to such issues that are causing alarm to some sections of the community. That they are not pro-active in calling for meetings of the relevant representatives to show that they can be counted upon to resolve these issues without awaiting for any action or reactions that stir racial or religious emotions;

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(iii) that there are more politicians than statesmen who are adept in using the slightest chance to show their hawkish attitude to gain political mileage, and;

(iv) that the ruling BN parliamentarians who were elected by a multi-racial/multi-religious electorate do not serve the concerns of their electorate, but merely serve the needs of their respective parties. They know fully well that their re-election is at the sole discretion of their party leadership.

While we wait the prime minister to address the problem, it will also be worthwhile for him to think why, despite his own conservative style of leadership, his minority non-Malay/non-Muslim BN partners had been extraordinarily cautious to the point of being unsure of the right procedure

to bring up this issue involving minority religious rights. Is such an atmosphere good for the nation, especially in the long-term?

This episode has illustrated the real situation in our nation, and we hope that it is not only the non-Muslim ministers who have learnt from it, but also the Muslim ministers who are the ones in the majority and who set the tempo in all spheres of Malaysian life.

All our ministers would have faithfully recited the principles of the Rukunegara during their schooling days and many be many have forgotten them. The prime minister may have to get all the BN party leaders - including Umno's - to revisit the spirit of the Rukunegara..