When I started work in 1972, I had a hard choice to make. I was posted to the Implementation, Coordination and Development Administration Unit of the Prime Minister's Department and one of my jobs included monitoring and evaluating the success of bumiputera equity accumulation under the New Economic Policy (NEP).

As an Indian, I had to review whether 'I wanted to really help' achieve this affirmative action agenda of 30 percent participation and ownership by bumiputeras. Moreover, a good friend had also offered me a job in the private sector which would pay me RM1,250 per month, while the public service salary was only RM750 per month.