I am writing in response to RD Amir's letter, 'Satu bangsa, satu matlamat atas satu landasan' (16 Ogos). Comments such as these are long awaited and overdue.

I have always believed that many of my Malay brothers and sisters are conscientious and reasonable, very unlike the authorities who espouse ethnocentrism. I thank the Internet for the freedom and accessibility to air our 'deprived' views and hopes to the public especially the governing bodies.

There are many sad stories to tell about poor minority anak Malaysia but the trouble is very few ever get into the 'official press'.

During my time in 1970s, it is common to see friends going to school without breakfast or even pocket money. The headmaster would demand donations to erect the school auditorium or hall from parents whose main occupation was rubber tapping.

Some students obtained odd jobs like washing dishes in restaurants, making joss sticks out of bamboos, etc., after school. I don't know how one can find the time or energy to study and it is not surprising that their education suffers and so too, the prospects for a better future.

I would hope that more people would write about their experiences and struggles. This is one statistic the 'official census' does not show and many in the majority never come to know about them. Their race or religion has got nothing to do with their meagre living.

The fear, real or perceived, in the current discourse of racial imbalance in terms of education, opportunity or otherwise fails to see the person as an individual. The poor, regardless of race, religion, creed and so forth, should deserve the right over the others who have already prospered.

Only when each anak Malaysia is being treated equally and compassionately, will then the country usher into the 'real' new millennium.