I refer to Gimfil James' letter on NEP's plus points outweigh negative .

I have no problem with NEP policies that help the less privileged. However, I am very unhappy that these policies stifle the potential of non-bumis based on racial grounds.

I am glad for the bumis who have become professionals like doctors, engineers, etc. However, these opportunities came at the expense of the non-bumis. Many competent non-bumis can't get into universities because the places are reserved for bumis who might be less academically competent.

Furthermore, most scholarships, which come from taxpayers' money, are only available to bumis. Now that there are so many successful bumis, we no longer need racially-based systems. Instead, a system that fairly identifies those who need help should be adopted.

I agree with James that bumis having a low self-esteem is unhealthy. This must be eliminated and the NEP helps with that.

On the other extreme, many bumis have an expectation of special rights and worse, still desire to rule over other races (e.g. the idea of Ketuanan Melayu). These tendencies are even more unhealthy. Unfortunately, the NEP will not be able to eliminate these ideas.

I hope there will come a time when these perceptions will disappear and people start respecting each other as equals. Until then, I fear the NEP will remain and oppression on racial grounds will continue.