I don't agree that all Barisan Nasional leaders must denounce PM's racist remarks (May 20) because what Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said about non-Malays being foreigners is true. That is certainly how I, as a fourth generation Chinese Malaysian, feel.

To stay here, we pay taxes, rent and toll, like all citizens. Despite this, we are treated like second-class citizens and denied places in public universities even when we more than qualify for entry and are therefore forced to pay for local private colleges.

Era College principal Dr Kua Kia Soong hit the nail on the head in Leave education issues to the qualified, not politicians: PAS (May 20) on the topic.

The 'foreigner' treatment is also one reason for the falling Chinese population ratio in this country. Chinese Malaysian families are opting to have fewer children. The children themselves do not come back after their studies. They do not see a bright future here and may as well be "foreigners" elsewhere.

I think PM has spoken the truth — unpalatable as it is — and we should not fear telling the truth because that is what freedom of expression is all about.