A perfect grade of 4.0 and you can't get into university to study the course of your choice? This so-called meritocracy is truly more like merit-o-crazy.

I remember a few months back, our country was crying out to our overseas Malaysian scientists, doctors and other professionals to return back and serve their country.

But now, a few months later, we are turning away these top scorers from pursuing their chosen course. If these students somehow manage to go overseas to further their studies (through self-financing or private scholarship) and excel in their studies, would they respond to our country's cry for their return later? I think the answer is obvious.

Without going into details, if this so-called meritocracy is truly fair and admission is on merit, why is it that only non-bumiputera top scorers are denied the course of their choice (not to mention those who scored slightly less than the perfect score i.e. 3.99, 3.98, 3.97 .......).

Same time next year, all this is going to be repeated. I figure the only way this is going to stop is to

• scrap STPM altogether and have everyone taking the matriculation exam, or

• scrap matriculation and have STPM only instead, or

• open matriculation to all races.

Adopt one of the above and only then we can proudly say we practice genuine meritocracy.