I'm 17 and just finished sitting for my SPM examination. I'm a malaysiakini reader and this is my first letter to the website. It is important to write now to address the state of our nation and most importantly, to dispel perceptions of immaturity among Malaysian school students.

How can Malaysians have such negative views and shameful disregard for the youth of this country?

Yes, I admit that our education system is in shambles, and not conducive for alternate views, but can't all of us agree that repressive education cannot last forever? Eventually, a trickle of views - alternative or challenging - will slip through.

I can recall at least 20 of my friends who can exchange mature and relevant views on issues pertaining to our country - whether it's civil rights, ISA, or education policies. So, to Muhammad Abdullah , please kindly considere retracting your utterly humiliating statement, which is an insult to the countless of youths who are making the effort to become more aware of our surroundings and developing maturity in thought.

Not everybody yields to being force-fed 'knowledge' - a policy embodied in our repressive education system.

Furthermore, I have to agree with the writer who wrote ' Stop the racist and ageist label ' . Why, after 46 years of independence, do we still label our own citizens as Chinese, Indian or Malay, and not Malaysians?

Why do we still remind some of our citizens that they are immigrants? Why can't we accept that not everyone who berates and attacks the present state of our institutions are disgruntled people? Surely, a person as wise as you can comprehend that?

I am very disappointed and bewildered by all the unrelenting racist statements, whether on malaysiakini or the mainstream media. Although, I don't trust the mainstream media and its blatant attempt to spread its pro-government propaganda, I'm nevertheless saddened by the daily comments that label others as 'unpatriotic citizens'.

Haven't we learnt the lessons of May 13? Why, 34 years after the shameful incident, we still refuse to let up on our xenophobic racist sentiments and unabated racial bashing of minorities?

Our former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad lied on the issue of racial unity. We may look united but mentally, the repercussions will never be wiped out. We can still witness prevailing and widespread suspicion around our citizens and evidently, racial clashes. May I remind you of the Kampung Medan incident? It shows that racial attack surfaces once the conditions of poverty and unfairness prevails.

All this racist statements and Mr Muhammad Abdullah's letter has catalysed me to unleash the anger in me and to write about all the horrible things that are polluting my beloved country.

Another point that I would like to make about Mr Muhammad Abdullah's letter is that he assumed the letter writer whom he reacted to was Chinese. Are you saying that Malays and Indians do not feel aggrieved over the present state of the education system? Frankly, I find that hard to believe.

Lastly, I must add that I agree with the writer ' Grouses of a 17-year-old student '. The education system must change. Whether it will change, I seriously don't know. The level of education and knowledge in our future leaders must be raised to cope with the meteoric rise of our country's technological infrastructure, the growth of the capitalist market, and the advantages and repercussions of globalisation.

Otherwise, our country will be destined to suffer from our lackadaisical attitude towards the importance of educating the youth.

To the new PM Abdullah Ahamad Badawi, I hope that he will place education as the number one priority and not shun this request for the sake of blinding and repressing the thoughts of the youth to the failings of the government. Good luck to him!