Anyone can be PM ? Is this just cheap lip service ?

It is possible for anyone from a minority group to be a nation's leader, even in Malaysia, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

"It is up to the people to decide, just as the Americans had done through the democratic process," he said while extending his congratulations to Senator Barack Obama.

Can we ? I say Bull S**t !

UMNO-led Barisan government protest even at the appointment of Low Siew Moi, just an "acting general manager of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS)." so you think it is possible "anyone can be PM " ?

Americans who have been sickened by the Bush administration, including the young generation and undecided voters, have cast their ballots in favour of Barack Obama to perpetuate liberalism and preserve the open society while reviving America's vibrancy.

This tide of change is not only taking shape in the United States, it is subsistent in many parts of the world. People in many countries are longing for change and their own versions of Obama.

The March 8 political tsunami here in Malaysia to some extent has been propelled by the same kind of social force.

Malaysians from all ethnic groups have got enough of racist politics. Authoritarian rule is no longer agreeable to our young voters, and many have longed for a fairer and more open government, and this has given rise to a more liberal and vibrant society.

Just as the US president-elect has said, "This is not a white America, or a black, Latino or Asian America. There is only one America; that is the United States of America."

Malaysia's Constitution does not impose racial or religious restrictions on the prime minister's post, but the country has always been run by Malay Muslim leaders of its biggest political party since independence from Britain in 1957.

"Can a Chinese, Indian (or a member of another minority) become prime minister?" senior opposition figure Lim Kit Siang wrote on his blog.

"There will be strong voices ... who would rise up to say 'no.'"

"Who is going against the Merdeka Constitution and the social contract reached by the forefathers of the major communities to achieve national independence half a century ago?"

"Why is Malaysian race relations and nation-building going backwards in the past 50 years as compared to the historic breakthrough in race relations in the United States with Obama’s historic victory in the US presidential elections?"

Barack Obama’s overwhelming win in the U.S. presidential race proves that the United States is really a democratic and peaceful nation. It is an historic achievement that symbolizes the end of racial prejudice.

The family tree: Dr Konrad Ng, Maya, Howard and Joan posing for a picture. Maya, who is Obama’s half sister, is married to Ng whose parents originally came from Sabah.

More importantly, Obama has links to Malaysia.

He has an Indonesian half-sister.

This sister is married to a Malaysian Chinese, Konrad Ng.

Not too long ago: Watching an Independence Day parade in the US four years ago were (from left) Michelle Obama, her daughter Sasha, Obama, Malia, Maya, Ng, and their daughter Suhalia. - AP

Let's wait and see if Obama visits Malaysia one day.