More than 20 years ago, I could not gain entry into any course at any of the local universities despite obtaining two Bs, one E and two Rs at the STPM level.

I would have accepted this as it was my own fault for not studying harder but for the fact that some of my bumiputera classmates gained entry into the law faculty at Universiti Malaya on the same results, not to mention other bumiputra students who got into the Arts and Social Sciences faculties with much lower qualifications than mine.

Could you imagine how heartbroken I was as I could not afford private tertiary education on my father's meagre salary? With my good results in English (Grade A1 in SPM and Grade B in STPM) I could have at least been offered a chance to become a graduate teacher in English.

Can you then blame me and the many others of my generation for being bitter about the discriminatory policies of our government? And 20 years later, not much has changed.

Sad to say, the later generations will be just as embittered. And what do all these policies do to national unity and integration among the bumiputeras and non-bumiputeras? The sheer unfairness of it all still rankles to this day and I am even more determined to work hard for my children's future.

You see, all these obstacles never break our spirits but instead make us more determined to succeed despite all the odds. This is what separates us from those who had it easy.