I agree with Abakjr that 'Rural bumiputras still need help' (May 10). However, his rationale that the quota system is the way to help them does not hold water. If we really want to improve the lot of rural folk in the long run, the way to help them is by improving school facilities and standards in the rural areas and providing scholarships for the really needy.

Instead of wasting public funds on lavish white elephants or to save non-deserving government-backed businessmen, we should spend on a better tomorrow for all.

By having quotas, what are we really saying? That mediocre students are all right, as long as they come from the rural bumiputra category?

How then do we strive to become a developed nation of brilliant scientists and inventors?

How about the many poor Indians in the estates, and the many poor Chinese in the New Villages? Are they not as disadvantaged as rural Malays when compared to the urban students?

The quota system in Malaysia has served its purpose and that is to improve the lot of the bumiputras quickly, providing them educational and job opportunities which they would otherwise not have been able to compete for in the past.

We have now succeeded in creating a confident and competent Malay middle class. What we now need to do is to gradually restudy these race-based quotas.

Is it logical to give discounts to Malays who can afford to buy expensive houses - does it make sense in the affirmative action context? Is it logical (again, in the same context) to give scholarships to a rich Datuk's children when the Datuk himself should be contributing to society by handing out scholarships?

Are the quotas imposed helping the majority of the really needy bumiputras?

Lastly, are we mature enough as a nation after more than 40 years of independence, to be able to start to say: Help all needy irrespective of creed or colour?

I personally believe as a non-bumiputra, that until we are able to do away with race-based policies that have outlived their initial objectives, we will never be able to achieve the aim of a truly Malaysian nation - a Bangsa Malaysia.

We will forever be divided by corrupt politicians who have their vested interests in affirmative action that accumulates their wealth and power.