In response to LCH's letter, 'Let's start with one purely meritocractic university', (Aug 14), I would think that if the government has the guts to allocate the worst academic institution in the country to be a meritocractic one, with no intervention from politics, then I believe we will see it become the best university in Malaysia in 10 to 15 years, leaving the rest far behind.

I wonder how the current system helps the bumiputras in education. Are those degrees dished out really worth something? One proverb best describes my point: "Give me a fish, I eat for a day, teach me to fish, I eat for my whole life."

I have no intention of offending my Malay friends; my arrow is pointed at the government and the system. I sincerely hope that one day leaders will no longer address the bumiputras as weaker than the rest. Everyone would like to see us, Malaysians, believe in ourselves, with no need to seek 'mercy' from the ruling government. Stand up, fellow Malaysians!