Kindly allow me to highlight a matter pertaining to our universities.

After the results of the final MBBS examination of the Universiti Malaya this year were released, the list of students in the 'Deans List' was announced during the alumni dinner. These students are the Merit Marks students selected by the examiners.

But at the convocation, these Merit Marks students (five Chinese and three Indians) were given only a pass certificate only and no mention was made about the Dean's List or they being Merit Marks students.

When I inquired someone from the Dean's office on this, I was told that Merit Marks students were originally in the Dean's list but some other students had to be added to this list.

No bumiputera students had Merit Marks but the top 10 among them - who had only a pass in the examination - were offered to do post-graduation studies after only two years of compulsory government service.

The Merit Marks students (all non-bumiputeras) were not given this benefit and would be allowed to do post-grad studies only after the stipulated four years.

What is the intention of Universiti Malaya not to highlight the Merit students? This only gives the impression to the world that the input and output of students at Universiti Malaya is below standard.

I urge the honourable chancellor of Universiti Malaya to look into this and give due recognition to the Merit students.