Saw this entry from a foward mail from fren

''I have been meaning to pen some thoughts for some time now, to let people
actually read the views of the typical 'overseas Malaysian' who is kept
away. I realise that my email is rather long, but I do hope that you would
consider publishing it (and also keep my name private!). I shall start by
telling a little about my background. Mine is a rather sad tale - of a
young Malaysian full of hope and patriotic enthusiasm, which is slowly but
surely trickling away.

I am very different from many other non-bumiputeras, as I was given
tremendous opportunities throughout my childhood. Born into a middle-class
Chinese but English-speaking family, I grew up with all the privileges of
imported books, computers, piano/violin lessons and tuition teachers. My
parents insisted that I should be exposed to a multi-racial education in a
national school. In my time, my urban national school (a missionary school)
was a truly happy place - where the Malays, Chinese and Indian students
were roughly equal in proportion. We played and laughed with each other,
and studied the history of the world together during Form 4, with one
interesting chapter dedicated to Islamic history. Though 75% of my teachers
were Malays, I never really noticed. My Malay teachers were the kindest to
me - teaching me well and offering me every possible opportunity to
develop. I led the district teams for English and Bahasa Malaysia debating
competitions. I was the only non-Malay finalist in the Bahasa Malaysian
state-level elocution competition. My Malay teachers encouraged me to
transfer to a government residential school (sekolah berasrama penuh) so as
to enable me to maximise my academic potential. I refused because I was
happy where I was, so they made me head prefect and nominated me as a
'Tokoh Pelajar Kebangsaan'. Till this day, I am absolutely certain that it
was the kindness of all my Malay teachers which made me a true Malaysian. I
excelled at school and was offered a Singaporean government scholarship to
study overseas. I turned them down because I wanted to ensure that I would
remain a 'true Malaysian' in the eyes of Malaysia. So I accepted a
Malaysian government scholarship to study at Oxford University. Throughout
my
three years as an undergraduate, the officers at the MSD looked after me
very well, and was always there to offer support.

I graduated with first class honours, and was offered a job with a leading
investment bank. The JPA released me from my bond, so as to enable me to
develop my potential. I shall always be grateful for that. I worked hard
and rose in rank. My employer sent to me to Harvard University for
postgraduate study and I climbed further up their meritocratic ladder. Now
I am 31 years old and draw a comfortable monthly salary of US$22,000. Yet,
I yearn to return home. I miss my home, my family, my friends, my Malaysian
hawker food and the life in Malaysia. I have been asked many times by
Singaporean government agencies to join them on very lucrative terms, but I
have always refused due to my inherent patriotism.

I really want to return home. I have been told by government-linked
corporations and private companies in Malaysia that at best, I would still
have to take a 70% pay cut if I return to Malaysia to work. I am prepared
and willing to accept that. My country has done a lot for me, so I should
not complain about money.

But of late, my idealistic vision of my country has really come crashing
down, harder and faster than ever before. I read about the annual fiasco
involving non-bumiputera top scorers who are denied entry to critical
courses at local universities and are offered forestry and fisheries
instead. (My cousin scored 10A1's for SPM and yet was denied a
scholarship).

I read about UMNO Youth attacking the so-called meritocracy system because
there are less than 60% of Malay students in law and pharmacy, whilst
conveniently keeping silent about the fact that 90% of overseas scholarship
recipients are Malays and that Malays from the vast majority in courses
like medicine, accountancy and engineering at local universities.

I read about the Higher Education Minister promising that non-bumiputera
Malaysians will never ever step foot into UiTM. I read about a poor Chinese
teacher's daughter with 11A1's being denied a scholarship, while I know
some Malay friends who scored 7A's and whose parents are millionaires being
given scholarships.

I read about the brilliant Prof. K.S. Jomo, who was denied a promotion to
Senior Professor (not even to Head of Depart! ment), although he was backed
by references from three Nobel Prize winners. Of course, his talent is
recognised by a prestigious appointment at the United Nations.

I read about UMNO Youth accusing Chinese schools of being detrimental to
racial integration, while demanding that Mara Junior Science Colleges and
other residential schools be kept only for Malays.

I read about the Malay newspaper editors attacking the private sector for
not appointing enough Malays to senior management level, whilst insisting
that the government always ensure that Malays dominate anything
government-related.

I read that at our local universities, not a single vice-Chancellor or
Deputy Vice-Chancellor is non-Malay. I read that in the government, not a
single Secretary-General of any ministry is non-Malay. The same goes for
all government agencies like the police, armed forces, etc.

I read about UMNO screaming for the Malay Agenda, but accusing everyone
else of racism for whispering about equality. I read about a poor Indian
lady having to pay full price for a low-cost house after being dispossessed
from a plantation, whilst Malay millionaires demand their 10% bumiputera
discount when buying RM2 million bungalows in a gated community.

I read about my beloved national schools becoming more and more Islamic by
the day, enforced by overzealous principals. I read about my Form 4 World
History (Sejarah Dunia) syllabus, which now contains only one chapter of
world history, with Islamic history covering the rest of the book.

As I read all this, I tremble with fear. I love my country and long to
return. I am willing to take a 70% pay cut. I am willing to face a
demotion. I honestly want to contribute my expertise in complex financial
services and capital markets. But really, is there a future for me, for my
children and for their children? I am truly frightened.

I can deal with the lack of democracy, the lack of press freedom, the ISA,
our inefficient and bureaucratic civil service, our awful manners and even
a little corruption. But I cannot deal with racism in my homeland.

I think this is the single biggest factor which is keeping people like
myself away. And bear in mind - there are so many of us (researchers,
scientists, bankers, economists, lawyers, academics, etc.). What people
read about in Malaysia (like Dr Terence Gomez) is but the iniest tip of the
iceberg. You will be amazed to know about Malaysians denied JPA
scholarships (which would have made them civil servants), took loans to
attend Ivy League universities, but who are later asked to advise our
government (on IT, economics, etc.) at fees running to millions of US
dollars. Such information will never be published because it is politically
incorrect.

As a Christian, I pray for God's blessing on this great country of ours. I
pray that He blesses our leaders with the foresight and humanity to see
that this will not work and cannot continue. I pray that they will have the
strength to make our country a home for all Malaysians and that they will
have mercy for the poor, including the non-Malays. I pray for true racial
harmony and acceptance (not just tolerance) in Malaysia.

Yours sincerely,
A very frightened Malaysian abroad''

This one article I hoped you guys can spend some time reading it and
comment or at least be aware of it. I shall not add anymore as I think
everyone is entitled to their views but as an anak Melayu I hope that we
are aware of what is coming in the future. Perhaps this serves as a good
preview. All of us can do something to change things and make it a better
place for everyone. Nope, I'm not for the letter but I am really offended
after reading it not as just a Malay but also as a Muslim.