Politicians study these profiles to plot and project an appeal to the special interests of the voters in a given geographic area. A recognised relationship of religion, language or ethnic origin offers the politician an opportunity to promise promotion of the special interests of the group. This is done in hopes such a promise proves sufficient to assure support in a coming election.

In Malaysia there are about 12 million Malays, who are related as a demographic group by a common language, religion and cultural heritage. For all previous generations the basic demographic unit was the kampung (rural village).

Today this is still true, though significant numbers of Malays now live in larger population centers. Grouping rural Malays with the urban Malays no longer presents an accurate picure. The Malays are not such a cohesive demographic unit as they were two or three years ago.

The political success of the present administration is based on a cultivated concept of Malay cohesiveness they call "Malay unity". According to the myth all Malays, united by language, religion and culture, have always, and therefore must indefinitely give political support to a party with the name "United Malay National Organization."

The old name does not reflect the present fact, as the party now finds to its detriment. The current dialogue surrounding "Malay unity" betrays their awareness that the Malays are indeed now divided in terms of political allegiance. Most Malays no longer give unquestioning support to a political party perceived to eschew Islamic principles.

Though the Malay political leaders wear the songkok, baju and kain, their credentials as practicing Muslims are now sharply in question. The minister who had responsibility to recover the stained and frayed fabric has failed, and now he has resigned. His resignation is said to be voluntary.

Islam makes no allowance for theft, lying and injustice. Whatever positive developments the administration delivered in the past are now made forfeit by the allegation that most gains have been delivered over for the benefit of kith and kin, along with those business associates and bright stars willing to act as proxies, proteges and partners in secret and illegal diversion of the public purse. Islam does not excuse bribery and graft in public servants, however much merit may be offered in mitigation to offset personal greed.

The ministers of the present corrupt administration are drowning in a cesspool of their own toxic waste, and like desperate men throughout history, seek support from any and all within reach or hearing. But they callously cry out for rescue without admission of guilt. They call for salvation based on brotherhood and compassion. "Give me your hand ... pull me to safety," they beg. Yet they admit no wrong-doing. Why, one wonders, should they be aided to continue in office? They have shown no compassion or brotherhood to others. On the contrary, they are cruel and vicious, with no sign of repentance.

The Finance Minister says there must be Malay unity in order to arrest the free fall of the stock market. Yet he finds no fault with paying from the public purse a price twice the market rate to a man whose position he underwrote. He finds no fault in bringing back at public expense the failed utilities given away to close associates. He finds no fault in the arrest of opposition leaders. He thus tacitly approves their fall. When the game afoot takes this tone of treachery, why should anyone join to rescue them from the retribution of their folly?

The people of Kedah have witnessed the spectacle of the Al Ma'unah in their backyard. All know the truth of the matter. The police in Kuala Kangsar know the truth. The army knows the truth of the matter. The prosecutors know the truth. The defendants and their families know the truth. For the most part, the people of Lunas know the truth. They have spoken.

Yet it is in Kuala Kangsar that Rafidah Aziz, under continuing investigation for her family-oriented decisions as Minister, reports that all will be well. The administration is to put into place a strategy that will buffer the effects of a downturn in the US economy. There were no members of the foreign press corps present. They are not welcome in Malaysia. Yet Rafidah plans to make her plea for more US investment and more sales of exports to the US, where journalists do not hesitate to ask pertinent questions. The Al Ma'unah case would not last five minutes if there were a free press available to protect the people of Malaysia. Malaysian journalists are muzzled, and foreign journalists are sued or denied access. In the US, they await her visit.

There is no Malay unity in Malaysia. Though conference follow conference throughout the nights and days, the facts remain; there is no Malay unity in Malaysia. Nor is there Chinese unity. Nor Indian unity. The days of racial politics are past. This is the new millenium. The racial party politics of the past are not successful now.

There is no longer a need for a "unified Malay party," nor an all-Chinese or all-Indian party. Their day is done. The newer opposition parties present broad programs that transcend ethnic and language boundary. While PAS has a Malay and Islamic orientation, its interpretation of Islamic principles is broad and just, based on a concept of universal brotherhood and the preservation of equal rights for all. PAS opposes special rights for anyone.

Thus Umno cannot and will not discuss the issue of Malay rights, though they themselves have created the issue to divert attention from administration mismanagement of the Chinese virus and education funds. This strategy is known politically as a "red herring," as though a smelly fish were drawn across the trail to fool the hounds. The hounds are not fooled. Lunas proved that.

Stolen funds are stolen funds, and all the noise about the Suqiu appeals will only increase the clamor for an honest accounting. The embarrassment to the administration is that the Suqui appeals are all fair and equitable. To oppose them is political suicide. Yet Umno-BN find themselves caught on the horns of a dilemma, and there is no possible extrication. "We will talk no more of that," they cry. The reason is simple enough; they have made fools of themselves yet again.

Waffling and toggling between ineptitude and inaction, the ministers, acting on the silly advice of kerbau drivers- cum-political pundits, have skillfully managed to alienate simultaneously both the Malay and the Chinese voters. The unwillingness to provide a minimum wage on a monthly basis is now also discouraging the Indian voters, who have begun to support the opposition. There no one left. Thus, to speak of Malay unity is to speak of a myth.