the Nuclear Question

This question really puts matters in perspective. Sometimes there are so many issues and so many positions that the noise drowns the really important stuff out - until ...

the Malaysian context :

* Affirmative action policies are meant to help Malays improve their economic standing.

* the Malay rights pressure groups are demanding that Malay rights are preserved as the Malay race is still too poor to stand on their own two feet.

* The Pakatan Rakyat are asking for affirmative action policies that help the poor/disadvantaged, instead of the Malays as a group.

* if there are so many poor Malays, then they would automatically be classified as poor/disadvantaged and would thus be eligible for affirmative action policies. Which means that all the poor/disadvantaged Malays would still be helped.

* it's only the rich / non-poor Malays who lose out. But then again, they are not poor - so why would they need help ?

It's not a question that is usually asked. But it's in many people's minds, general election or not.