KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIANS impressed by US President-elect Barack Obama's groundbreaking victory debated on Thursday whether someone who is not from the Malay Muslim majority could ever lead their ethnically diverse country.

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.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters late on Wednesday that it was possible Malaysia could have a non-Malay leader, saying 'it is up to the people to decide.'

Mr Abdullah's comment sparked a flurry of reactions from politicians and ordinary Malaysians. Many from the large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities welcomed his comments but voiced skepticism that such a breakthrough could occur anytime soon.

Mr Abdullah's United Malays National Organisation (Umno) is the linchpin of a 13-party multiethnic governing coalition. The prime minister is supposed to be the head of the coalition or party that holds a majority in Parliament.

Muslim Malays account for nearly two-thirds of Malaysia's 27 million people while ethnic Chinese and Indians, who are mainly Buddhist, Christian and Hindu, are the main minorities.

Malaysia prides itself on its multiethnic stability, but the minorities have increasingly complained about affirmative action policies that they say unfairly favour Malays.

Some also allege their religious rights are being ignored.

'Can a Chinese, Indian (or a member of another minority) become prime minister?' senior opposition figure Lim Kit Siang, an ethnic Chinese, wrote on his blog. 'There will be strong voices ... who would rise up to say 'no'.'

Mr Lim's statement received more than 100 comments within 12 hours.

One ethnic Malay reader who identified himself as Mr Kasim Amat criticised Mr Lim for raising 'a very sensitive issue in Malaysia which can lead to chaos,' adding that minorities should respect the leadership of Malays.

Nevertheless, Ms Jaymee Goh, a 24-year-old ethnic Chinese who said her childhood ambition had been to become prime minister, said Mr Obama's triumph made it easier for her to imagine having a non-Malay leader eventually.

'If America can get a black man in that high a leadership position ... then there is no reason left for Malaysia to hold' to any racial discrimination, Ms Goh said. 'The chant has been 'Yes We Can' for the Obama campaign, and if they can, Malaysia can too.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Nov 6, 2008.

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