Prof P Ramsamy's premature termination is vandalism which affects the image of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) as a place where freedom of thought and expression flourish.

He is internationally known as an articulate spokesmen of many oppressed people. He is an academic with passion who, quite often, is prepared to speak out even when his views could be regarded as controversial. He was always concerned with the long-term future of the nation.

Why 'punish' him at this stage of his life? After all, he has spoken on the issue of race-related oppression for a long time. It is a sign of a nation's maturity when outspoken academics like Ramasamy are allowed to express their opinions without fear of punishment.

Their outspokenness on issues where the oppressed are inarticulate should be encouraged because it gives those responsible for the management of our country some insights into areas of injustice.

Such men are needed especially when the voices of other leaders have gone faint with the passage of time because it is no longer politically correct in this country for members of the ruling coalition to suggest that the government is not being fair.