Thank you Professor Jeffrey Henderson for taking the trouble to inform us about Edmund Terrence Gomez's list of options, his choices and his reasons for those choices in his relation with Universiti Malaya.

It is indeed a great honour, especially for Gomez, to know that so many learned people in their respective fields are standing by him so faithfully. However, Henderson's effort, I fear, is going to be classified as just another 'supporting letter'. But I suppose he knew this considering the lack of a reply from UM's vice-chancellor on Gomez's non-promotion.

Gomez should have listened to Henderson and stayed in Britain seven years ago. Now, he is repaid for his commitment to serve his country and her people. This is how he is repaid for educating our young scholars. It happens in our country Malaysia all the time.

You sail around the world, you get a Datukship. You reach the peak of Mount Everest but you don't qualify for the same title. The effort, pain and suffering may have been equal, but there is no equality as the persons who performed the feat are seen and treated differently. The same government policy applies to Gomez's case.

We have always been told, 'Think what you have done for your country and not what your country has done for you.' We know what Gomez has done for the country. What has the country done to him?