I am writing in response to the issue of changing the UiTM enrolment policy. As an English expatriate, I have to say the current policy is considered rigid and out-of-date. You may disagree all you like, but I have another reason why I am voicing my opinion regarding this issue.

A few days ago, my Malaysian colleague lamented the fact that he and his wife have to send their children to study overseas after they complete their secondary school education. At first I did not understand until he explained to me that it is all no thanks to a policy called the discriminative policy.

Recollections of history lessons suddenly came back to me: the ancient times when a person was chosen for a particular role or occupation according to his ethnicity, social status and religion rather than merit and ability. My colleague is not the only one in this situation and my heart goes out to others like him.

Having followed the news about the proposed idea of UiTM opening its door to non-bumiputera and foreign students, I wholly agree with both Ong Ka Ting and Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim who believe this suggested move will see the local university not only foster positive academic culture but also enable UiTM to compete at a global level alongside other prestigious tertiary institutes such as Oxford University, the National University of Singapore and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).

Unfortunately, this move has generated opposition from the university's management and its student body. What do they know about about opposing this good move? Will opposing bring any benefit to them?

I cannot believe they hold a Third World mentality despite living in an independent country. If they carry on like this, they, their children and children's children will suffer in the future. There is no wonder why many talented and brilliant Malaysians, especially non-bumiputera have gone to seek greener pastures overseas.

In England, a university student is and will always be chosen according to his or her talent and ability rather than his ethnicity, religion and social status. Discriminative policies have no place in nations that uphold and respect all individuals from all walks of life.

Meritocracy is the way to go.