Tay: I've made a good and a bad assumption for the future after the elections. If political parties do not do well, it might lead to the bad consequences.

The good assumption would is that the BN coalition and UMNO especially can accept the people's choice and understand that the national interest has exceeded racial interests. The racist thinking of UMNO would gradually change and this is a positive progression.

Chua: We said we have no confidence in the Election Commission before the elections but we never hear this claim again after the opposition won. This is in fact a double standard.

DAP used to criticise MCA for ruling without actual power. And today, the opposition is going to govern some states, we will wait and see whether they are going to rule with actual power.

Would MCA, Gerakan, MIC be marginalised or disappear after the elections? I can't answer for them as I'm just an ordinary member today. We used to remain silent even we were supposed to voice up to ensure harmony as MCA is a component party of the BN coalition. And therefore, the Chinese community think we are scared and dare not to voice up and from now on, MCA should voice up when it is necessary. We are suppose to say: “if you don't want us, we will leave the BN coalition.” We must acknowledge that it is outdated for us to look into drain problems. Today, issues like economy, education and how the government fairly threat all races are more important.

Kok: In fact, we are very excited as MCA representatives daresto speak up at last. After the transition of power, those with experience could oversee the new state governments. The opposition would not rule if a great number of BN coalition members did not vote for the opposition.

Component parties of the ruling coalition are race-based in the past. Someone asked me before: “You must speak for the Chinese,” but I said I'll fight for all Malaysians. When we are a multi-racial party, we would have to care for the rights of disadvantaged groups. We are going to have a political change next. Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi didn't start with the system but just reform right after he stepped in. His problem is he has to bear the residuals left behind by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. It is not working as he didn't start from the Malay cultural system.

Wee: All races are now waiting to see the new line up of Penang and Selangor governments as Malays are worried that they might be marginalised. I believe all parties are discussing on the same matter as well. This political tsunami is caused by the failure of the Prime Minister's political reform. The Parliament and judicial systems should be independent, otherwise, the whole system would be affected. The Parliament was like one of the government's department in the past 50 years. They could do whatever they want to do. But it is not the same now. The opposition has enough of seats to oversee the government. We can bring up issues like the independence of judiciary and corruption.

The Lingam incident happened because the BN coalition controlled the whole situation in the past. Our judicial system is just like a market that you can buy “justice” as long as you have money. We don't want such system, we want change. And now, we can raise these problems in the Parliament. Every citizen should be fairly treated.

TianChua: The remarks made by Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is the beginning of change. Or we should say he is speaking as an opposition. To us, this is a step forward. The next task for the new government would be on how to cope with corruption?

More importantly, how are we going to resolve the problem of racism?

How are we going to discuss the matter as the opposition in the past is now sitting down to enjoy power-sharing?

We just hope that the BN coalition is not going to attack us with racial issues, especially in Penang. The process of resolving the racism problem will turn more difficult if someone uses racial issue to fight for power. We must rely on the wisdom of all to rationally cope with these problems.

We should not be hasty in the transition process but to change step-by-step. Also, we should not take advantage of racial issues. I believe the BN coalition would collapse earlier if it uses racism to fight for its revival. (Composed by Alice Tan/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)

Click HERE for Part 1.