Those non-bumiputeras like myself, who have been in government service from the late 60s to 70s will not be mystified by the low percentage of applications from non-Malays to join the civil service.

It was during this period, especially after the May 13 incident, that the government went on a rampage to practice all out discrimination. All new intakes were from one race. It was the exception, rather than the rule, that a few non-Malays were recruited and these few could thank their lucky stars.

Promotions of less junior Malay staff over their more senior non-Malay colleagues were the norm as more experienced and longer serving non-Malays were passed over. In passing, I will also mention that scholarships were awarded 100 percent to the Malays in those years.

And the situation became such that the non-Malays were resigned to the fact that they had no hope of joining government service or gaining promotions while in government service. It is also the common belief amongst the non-Malays that the government practices discrimination openly, as an official policy. This, of course, the government does not hide, or deny.