I write in response to Sam Simon's letter where he expresses bafflement at the 'hysteria' engendered by Assoc Prof Edmund Terrence Gomez's 'change in career'.

I must confess I am baffled that there isn't more hysteria at the cavalier treatment meted not only to Gomez and his family but to scores of other academics of all races.

The horrifying decline in standards at University Malaya should be the subject of national debate, not fearful sniping. The perceived poor quality of UM graduates who are unable to find employment should be of grave concern to parents and academics alike.

I call on UM Vice-chancellor Hashim Yaacob, and all his deputies, deans and heads of departments to stop treating the University of Malaya as their private kingdom for political profiteering and manoeuvering.

Stop being the flunkies for vested parochial interests and start standing up for what is right. Make paramount the needs of the young people who come to you to be moulded. Don't deprive them of the best teachers to nurture them.

Stop the rot now. If this can't be done then the UM leadership should resign in utter, ignominious shame and leave academia to sincere people with greater vision.

The writer was formerly attached to the University of Malaya's Faculty of Medicine .