Go back to the source, says Tunku Abdul Aziz, founder of Transparency International-Malaysia; that source in question is the Federal Constitution, the supreme law of the land. In there, we'll know what's real and what's imagined.

"There's only one form of social contract, as far as I'm concerned, and that's the contract between the Government and the Governed. The government needs to uphold that responsibility. Simple as that."

"There is no mention of ethnic supremacy in the Federal Constitution, despite countless claims otherwise. It is all spun and imagined."

Tunku Aziz was a key panelist in the forum, The Myth of Malay Supremacy, at the Annexe Gallery, KL on Saturday. It seemed only fitting for such a topic to be aired given the spike in news surrounding Biro Tatanegara and reactions to N Kulasegaran's statement in Parliament.

Fellow panelist Noraini Othman, sociology professor and SIS leader said: "I cringe each time I hear the word ketuanan. It implies enslavement. How can any decent human being prefer that position?"

Will Malaysia, as a diverse society in pursuit of a common nationhood, wax or wane?

"The country is experiencing the third dispensation of the Merdeka agreement," said Clive Kessler. Two earlier waves, embodied in the NEP and the Mahathir years, expired without the desired results. "Perhaps this third wave, with a maturing society, will see this nation overcome the challenges and move on to become a truly inclusive and plural nation."

NOTE:

Differing views of the debate are further presented below.

• Masih adakah ketuanan Melayu? - Dr Mohd Ridhuan Tee
• What is ‘Ketuanan Melayu’? - Justin Ong
  
• No masters in my country - John Lee