Like it or not, the racist remarks by Ahmad Ismail, the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief, have their silver lining.

That Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was compelled to "apologise" over the issue only indicated that the Malay party was now at its lowest ebb in history.

Without the shocking results of the March 8 general election and the rippling effects of Permatang Pauh, one wondered if the once arrogantly powerful Umno would be forced to eat the humble pie.