Minister of Higher Education Mustapa Mohamed should take heed of the four viewpoints that were expressed by Prof P Ramasamy vide his letter. The minister should not ignore the views expressed as coming from a critic, or from an opposition figure, or from an academic when views or advice are relevant and useful for improvement of the system.

\ver the last 20 years, higher education in the country has been in a dismal condition with a large number of graduates unable to perform upon graduation. This is due to the deteriorating standards of teaching. I see most present-day graduates too timid to express themselves effectively and lack either oral or writing skills. The minister has to overhaul the system along the views submitted by experts in this area.

Finally, it is nice to read the minster stating the new vice-chancellor for UM was appointed on merit and not based on race, religion or gender. But the composition of the VC selection commission speaks otherwise. The chairman and all members are Malays with one Chinese and no Indians.

This is not the only case. In every selection board in the Public Services Department (JPA), we hardly see any Chinese or Indians sitting on the selection panels. This is one other reason - if not the main reason - for poor non-Malay representation in the public sector.

The non-Malays know theirs interviews are a mere eyewash. Hence, they don't even apply for government jobs. Indians, who once were satisfied with government jobs, have now fallen to gangsterism and other evils, having no other place to go.

We trust the new minister will start anew for the better of all in the higher education field and also for the long-term sake of the country.