In reference to Malay Ranger Sunray's letter Army must be more professional to raise morale for all , many non-Malay Malaysians would beg to differ. The writer sounds like he is a general.

The tone of his letter is typical of a Malay general's view. Mere mortals like majors, Lt-Kol, etc, do not have the privilege of chatting up prime ministers. He must have been seconded to the corps of rangers, and possible even has a tinge of the Royal Malay Regiment on him.

Officers from the Royal Malay Regiment are unfairly seconded as Lt-Kol to accelerate their careers, before they become generals at the expense of senior ranger officers as and when vacancies are lacking in the Royal Malay Regiments.

It is agreed that there is no written policy for discrimination. Which sane country in the world would have official written discrimination policies though South Africa at one time had it?

This policy need not be written in stone for it to be practised, but it was and still is being practised. Yes, not all non-Malays are good quality officers, but what about non-Malay officers who are of good quality?

Former prime minister Hussein Onn Jaafar had high ideals that were derived from commanding the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army while serving in North Africa during World War II. High ideals alone are not enough, they must endure.

Non-Malay officers were promoted as generals during his premiership. Hussein Onn was one of a very rare breed indeed compared to what we have now. If only the walls of Mindef could talk, they would have many gripping tales to tell.

The very integrity of the Malaysian armed forces is at stake because of discriminatory and biased policies. To maintain a highly professional and efficient organisation, the nation's security apparatus has to be 'color blind' when recruiting and promoting officers.

As it stands, it has become the inalienable right of Malays to become generals.