I am a second year medical student currently residing in the sixth residential college at University of Malaya. Just last week, I met an elective student from UK who was posted to University Hospital here for three weeks.

After chatting and realising that she was given a place in the ninth college, which is quite a distance away, I offered to help her look for nearer accommodation. We tried the sixth college, Anjung Penyayang but to no avail.

Upon reaching the second residential college, we were greeted sullenly by a lady at reception who seemed to have no time for visitors. I then said politely in Bahasa Malaysia, " Selamat pagi cik, ada bilik lagi di sini tak? " (Good morning miss, are there any spare rooms here?)

We received a mumbled and disinterested reply and after asking her to repeat herself, she said, (her exact words) " You orang Cina kan? Sori, penuh ." (You're Chinese right? Sorry we're full).

I couldn't believe my ears and tried explaining that the young lady with me was an elective student who would only be here for three weeks. She then went on impatiently about how the college was full of Chinese and therefore would be unable to fit another Chinese girl in. Apparently they had a ‘quota’.

Thankfully she (the elective student) was understanding and just laughed it off. So we left the place.

At the end of the day we did not manage to find any other accommodation so we just gave up. But the burning question in me was: what if the student was not Chinese? Would the college suddenly, miraculously have spare rooms?

I was frustrated and upset the whole day as I really felt for this student; not so much that she didn't get a room, but because she was discriminated against. Is this really acceptable in UM, the oldest university in Malaysia?

I hope that necessary and swift action will be taken as we don't want to see UM's reputation being tarnished by a single residential college.