This time I hail our prime minister for suggesting that meritocracy be the criteria for admission into our public universities. Is he becoming like his Japanese counterpart Junichiro Koizumi, wanting to make bold reforms for the country? The only difference is, Dr Mahathir Mohamad will have to wait and see if he has huge public support like Koizumi.

This suggestion to abolish university admission quota was actually part of the 17-point Suqiu appeal. It is a start that Mahathir's finally making the right decisions to reform the country as it will put the Malay mentality back to what it used to be (hard-working and corruption-free people) and guide it towards greater achievements. This may not work in the past but with present economic circumstances, the chances are a lot better.