I would like to comment on CY Tham's letter ' From Asia's No 1, where are we now? '.

CY Tham was talking from the viewpoint of economics. I will tell you something from the viewpoint of science, engineering and medicine.

Though the University of Malaya started in the late 1950s in Pantai Valley, the standard of Science and particularly Chemistry was recognised as the highest in Asia. We had external examiners from London University, Cambridge and other prominent universities in United Kingdom. Our research papers were published in the top journals in the field.

We had excellent lecturers and of course, a strict admission standard into the university. During 1959, the admission rate was only about 400 students. Our degrees were recognised worldwide and the best students stayed behind to join MU. It was a matter of distinction to be a student of MU.

In the last couple of years, the current assessment is that it is almost, if not already, out of the radar screen of the Top 50 universities in Asia. So we have good airports which have dirty toilets, government servants cheating the government in bank frauds, etc. What next?

The PM-in-waiting, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should know because he was in MU during its heydays. Maybe he should do something about it when he becomes PM.