Johor Umno delegate Dr Mohd Puad Zarkhasi - in the report Scrap meritocracy if Malays are lagging - was right to point out that people living in poverty could not compete on the same level as those who are not. He cited the cases of schools in Malaysia which lack electricity and water supply.

He should be applauded for suggesting that the government should help those in poverty. The government should heed his suggestions and truly get the infrastructure to supply water and electricity to rural schools. The government should also provide monetary assistance to these students.

Many, if not all readers, would agree that meritocracy is not the problem in Mohd Puad's deliberations. The problem is poverty and it is not specific to a particular race. The government should help those who are poor, regardless of race. Mohd Puad should reflect on this and analyse more of what he has said. There are also many poor Chinese and Indians in Malaysia.

Mohd Puad has wrongly identified the problem. It is not meritocracy that is the problem. It is poverty and poverty knows no racial boundary. I do hope the government realises this and comes up with the right policies to create a great atmosphere for all Malaysians.