I refer to George Ting's excellent letter of persuasion that seeks to exalt the Malay race and the concept of Bangsa Malaysia as a rich, proud and multicultural heritage poised to take on the globalised world.

I think he is very sincere and passionate in seeking to assert the past, present and future identity of the beautiful Malay race.

Other writers have also contributed to this vein of thinking drawing from the rich mother lode of Asia punctuated with the pragmatism of adopting modern English.

However there is a point of inaccuracy in George Ting's very balanced commentary. That point is that the Dravidian people of ancient India are Caucasoids (Caucasian) and not Negroids. Causcasoids can be white, brown and even black.

The work of Dr Zacharias Thundy of Northern Michigan University is one of many examples that sheds light onto this fascinating fact.

The conventional notion of equating Caucasians as a politically-correct label to refer to 'whites' is scientifically false, as most Caucasians may not even be 'white'. Membership to this racial group stock is not determined by skin colour alone.

The concept of a pure race today is very controversial and ultimately, we are all derived and drawn form one source enjoying many sauces - just like assam and curry laksa .

Diminishing the history and evolution of the Malay race by applying an Islamic criteria alone to force fit arabesque identities is narrow, demeaning and shallow.

Let the Malay people celebrate in their rich origins and share in the collective destiny of mankind in this dynamic New Age.