It is not surprising that Muhammad Abdullah in his letter 'Of 17-year-olds and Mkini's 'all-Chinese' readers' chose to comment on the personal background of the writer in a previous letter, rather then challenge the contents written by that 17-year-old.

This is the sort of response one would expect from a brainwashed BN generation. Nothing more and nothing less.

I refer to Muhammad's comment that: "If it is true that it is in fact written by a 17 year-old, then the education is not bad - surely the product of such a poor system cannot write such a thought-provoking letter, with flawless English to boot!"

Perhaps he should come out from under his tempurung and look at how non- bumiputeras are educating their children, or shall I say forced to do so.

Due to the very poor education system that favors bumiputeras , many non- bumiputera children have a strict regime of tuition after school, to fill the gap left by the education system. Non- bumiputera parents place the education of their children above anything else since they know that only with a proper educational background can their children do well in a country full of favoritism - and move on to work anywhere in the world when the need arises.

That is probably why the 17-year-old is able to write so well in spite of going through a ridiculous education system. As a non- bumiputera myself, I can understand the frustration the student was going through.

Given the fact that he/she comes from a well to do family that can afford his/her education overseas, this student has humbled him/herself by raising the issue in public, and feeling for his/her not-so-fortunate friends.

When I read comments from people like Muhammad, I see no difference from our politicians. Instead of tackling the actual problem, they prefer to blame it on something else.

So perhaps Muhammad should challenge the contents of the 17-year-old's letter, rather than be "convinced" that it was written by some "pro-opposition Chinese reader".

The fact that the 17-year-old can think so maturely should be something to be applauded. It shows the type of self-thinking non- bumiputera generation that is emerging out of this oppressed education system and governance of the past 22 years.