I refer to R Ramachandran's letter entitled Indians mustn't give up on equity target .

Rather than looking at percentage of equity in the country to be achieved by each race with the assistance of the government of the day, wouldn't it be better or economically more feasible to leave the equity ownership to the free market?

This subsidy and reliance mentality of getting government assistance would not work and will eventually lead to the Indians facing similar problems with what the bumiputeras are facing now.

After nearly 50 years of independence, can't we consider ourselves as Malaysian irrespective of our race and work together to compete globally instead of trying to squeeze each other out of local opportunities?

Granted that the poor and the underprivileged have to be assisted. But this has to be done across the board irrespective of race.

The bumis are targeting for at least 30% equity and now Samy Vellu is seeking to improve the percentage of Indian equity from 1.5% to 3%. This increase in percentage is not based on merit but due to race and with the government's assistance.

In the long run, this economic formula will work adversely for the local economy. Also this would make the Chinese less eager to take business risks because the risk-taker is not rewarded.

In the long run, the country's cake may get smaller and it is then that we will realise that percentage does not mean anything. It will be a richer economic society, even if the bumis or Indians do not achieve their targeted percentages, if all Malaysians have a higher standard of living via a bigger cake from competing globally.