I feel compelled to respond R Razif's letter ('CLP is for non-Malays benefit,'Dec 5). His contention is that the majority of Certificate of Legal Practice candidates who benefitted from 'positive discrimination' come from a particular race, mainly the non-Malays.

Those 'statistics' so claimed by R Razif, if true, are merely coincidental - at best. It is certainly inaccurate, untrue, and, to borrow a term from the sport of boxing, 'below the belt' to say that the CLP is catered for non-Malays to enter into the legal profession.

The CLP is open to all law graduates (regardless of race) from England, and more recently, Australia, who wish to become legal practitioners in Malaysia.

Would R Razif agree with my contention then, that the legal degree courses held in local universities in Malaysia are for the benefit of the Malays to enter into the legal profession?

R Razif had stated: "... let's not have a racial overtone in discussing this issue." The fact is, by making those statements, he is contradicting himself and discussing the 'issue' with racial overtones!