I am responding to a letter written by LCH, 'Vote with your feet'. I want to reinforce and to correct some of the points he articulated.

To begin with, I am a former Malaysian who emigrated to Canada in 1971. I have a degree in Economics from Universiti Malaya. Despite having a good job in Kuala Lumpur, I left for the simple reason that I could not stand being second class. I was only 25 years old when I gave up on Malaysia.

LCH is absolutely correct. There is a big world out there. Malaysians do not have to tolerate the injustice and the discrimination. I can attest that in Canada, there is no affirmative action. (In some provinces, native Canadians who want to study law are given preference. But they are so few in number, hardly anybody feels deprived.)

Nor are there institutionalised discrimination. Both citizens and permanent residents enjoy equal rights in every aspect. Only citizens are allowed to vote. Citizenship, however, is available after 3 years of residency. Starvation does not exist in this country. There is welfare and food banks for the poor and the disabled.

Indeed, a decent education at a reasonable price is available throughout the country. Admission is based strictly on merit for both citizens and non-citizens. No one who is qualified is denied his/her choice of study. For those who cannot afford the tuition fees, there are student loans, which are repayable only after graduation and after the graduate has secured a job. For those who don't want to be burdened by student loans, there are cooperative education, where students get a university degree by alternatively studying and working. The university helps such students secure their jobs. These jobs are mostly study-related.

From my perspective, having followed Malaysian racial politics for the past 30 years, I am convinced racial discrimination in Malaysia is here to stay. Neither Umno nor PAS can change the status quo without another May 13.

As LCH correctly asked: why bother staying when you are exploited all the time? I am not familiar with conditions in other countries, but in Canada, there is room to accommodate all those who have the drive, skill and qualification. As was correctly pointed out, many Malaysians had made the move. None that I know of in Canada, have any regret.