I was surprised to read Hantuimc's letter on racism in the UK. As an educated and skilled individual he should get a grip of himself. First heal thyself, O physician.

Having had the chance to travel abroad to study at the loving expense of a Fama (Father and Mother) scholarship, I am saddened that he hasn't widened his horizons. I am a non-bumiputera Malaysian doctor living in the UK and do not agree with Hantuimc's observations.

Focussing instead on the points in his letter, Hantuimc contradicts himself on many fronts (this can be dangerous for a doctor in the era of evidence-based medicine).

Firstly, he brings up the issue of racism in the UK. He cites all the racist incidents in the UK to emphasise his point. He longs to return to the arms of Malaysia. Here he points out that the Malaysia that he is so nostalgic to return to is the Malaysia that couldn't provide him with a place in university, where his parents have been disillusioned with life, where locals discriminate against Indonesians and Bangladeshis and where, because of the colour of his skin, his opportunities were limited.

If this is the Malaysia that he describes, isn't it not different to where he is now? This is not the Malaysia that I know.

Secondly, the very fact that he was offered a medical seat and completed his medical degree in four years (I have never heard of this and don't think this is allowed by the General Medical Council just because you want to save on your Fama scholarship) which now allows him to live in the city with a annual 60,000 salary is testament to the fact that equality exists in the UK.

In some countries, there are residence and work restrictions even if you graduate from a home university, but not in the UK. Hantuimc should ponder if he would have had the same opportunities and lifestyle in the Malaysia that he is describing.

Return to Malaysia tomorrow and the Health Ministry will welcome you with open arms to serve in compulsory government service in a rural posting. There, you may look at the photos of your city centre apartment in the UK.

The truth is not about racism in UK or Malaysia. It exists everywhere but there are things we can do to fight and overcome it. Start with good race relations. From his letter, Hantuimc like many other Malaysian students here, tends to keep to Malaysians or Singaporeans only whilst abroad.

Why isn't his group of 25 friends British? If they were, he would be able to appreciate where the Brits are coming from in their thoughts and actions. The weather is something the Brits laugh and talk about not get depressed about (take the rain in Wimbledon for example).

On the same note, having mixed with Malay Malaysians during his schooldays, Hantuimc should recognise that the special benefits for bumiputeras are to help them share in the economic cake of Malaysia.

If you want to live in a plural society then you have to share. If you can see it from the Malay viewpoint then you can make some sense of this. Yes, you may argue how long this special benefit may go on for.

You may remember Darwin's theory of the survival of the fittest in your evolution lectures. Don't worry, as globalisation happens, you will have better survival skills then those who have been spoon-fed and protected for too long. They will not be able to compete on an even playing field on the world stage.

From the tone of his letter, Hantuimc is just missing home. He feels vulnerable in this situation and thus has highlighted small incidences of racism in the UK. He should look at the bigger picture and get a grip of himself.

Many others have not been as fortunate as him to be where he is today. If you return to Malaysia, then make a positive contribution and stand above all the prejudices that you have mentioned. It is always said that the grass if always greener on the side.

Well if it is, then water the grass on your side.