I must congratulate Susan Loone for being bold to write about racism in Malaysia ('Me, myself and my race', Oct 29). I, like her, refuse to fill in my race when required in administration forms.

I raise three children today and cannot deny the fact that they live in a Malaysia that's more polarised racially. For example, today, even at Standard Three, I have to explain to my nine-year-old son, why he may not get into the 'A' class even if he has been consistently ranked in the top 10 of his year. It is all because of the quota system based on race. However, the sore point is not whether he gets into the 'A' class, but this: Why do I have to explain this racial bias to a nine-year-old?

This can't be good for our young children in whom we try to instil a strong sense of fairness and fairplay. More and more Chinese, even in the urban areas, are turning to Chinese schools where they could at least be shielded from such racial biases. This is not necessarily the solution, but for the short term, it is far better than exposing them to the harsh reality of racism in Malaysia. I fear to think of what Malaysia will be like when these little ones grow up.

If our education minister and public servants continue to dish out policies laced with political reasoning, it will be to the detriment of modern Malaysia.