This is an open letter to Dr Edmund Terrence Gomez who had been receiving tremendous moral support from the public over his shoddy treatment by the University of Malaya management.

Let me share my experience with you and others of a similar predicament, though not on your scale, while working for a government agency.

I was employed by this agency to head its finance department. My general manager, whom I have to mention, is a person of high integrity and dedication to his job.

The agency is a 100 percent bumiputera concern and I happened to be the first non-bumi joining them. As head of finance, I was registered as one of the signatories for their cheques and I performed my job with full dedication.

We were then registered with the Finance Ministry as a bumiputera class contractor. When the time came for renewal of our status, we were told by the ministry that unless I was removed as one of the signatories on our cheques, our application would be rejected.

My GM explained that we were still a bumi concern and I was only a signatory. Nothing doing - we were told that it is a mandatory requirement. Thus, I was unceremoniously removed as a signatory.

I felt sick at this blatant discrimination and I tendered my resignation. But my GM them somehow convinced me to stay on and I agreed on the condition that I would leave the moment he leaves. I tendered my resignation the very month he left.

Gomez, you, at least, have the opportunity to leave for a better future where you will be recognised and respected for your knowledge and academic standing compared to the many of us who just got stuck in this country.

I am glad and happy for you and surely you will one day realise that it was a blessing in disguise that you left and sought a better future where your race and religion would not be the criteria for your recognition.

When the new prime minister took over and the remarks he made that there would be equality for all, I sincerely thought that he would walk-the talk but sadly it appears to be just another political shot.

Of course, there would come a day when the global changes would force Malaysia to re-think (as seen in the desperation to study and master English) but until then we have to make do with what we have.

Just a parting note. We are not asking to deprive the bumis of their rights which cannot be done. All we are asking is to respect us as equal human beings for all the loyalty and hard work we have made for the betterment of this nation. Is that too much to ask Mr. PM?

So, Gomez, I wish you all the best and hope the torch you bear will go a long, long way to light up the hearts and minds of the people in whose lives you are bound to make a difference as your work suggests. Those hearts will give you the tribute you rightly deserve.