The racial segregation issue is a red herring. I do not think many Malaysians worry about racial segregation half as much as they do racial handicapping and hegemony.

Although most non-bumiputra Malaysians have quit hoping for a meritocractic system of entry into our public universities (despite the government's promise that this year would be different), many would hope that their young children would not be exposed to a racial quota system at the primary and secondary school level.

Whether racial quotas and handicaps are being applied at the primary and secondary school level in Malaysia for purposes of streaming and promotion to higher ability classes, and in what manner, is moot.

Perhaps the point is that after decades of differential treatment according to race, many ordinary Malaysians already suspect, or would not be surprised, if such quotas were already in operation at that tender age.

The argument that the existence of Chinese and Tamil schools within the national educational system itself represent a form of racial segregation and is 'anti-national' does not hold water.

Under the overwhelming reality of the NEP, the support for the Chinese schools movement may be seen as a defensive measure against further discrimination.

It is an attempt by a minority community trying to retain some degree of autonomy over their own activities.

In short, the support from the Chinese Malaysian for Chinese schools is in part a response to perceived second-class treatment within the national education and economic system of quotas and handicaps.

Such 'segregation' provides some peace of mind for a minority community trying to ensure a meritocractic and a no-racial-quota reality for their children.

I have not decided what type of school I am going to send my children to in Malaysia. Whatever happens, I would hope that overt racial handicapping for my children might commence only after Form 5 or 6, and hopefully not before Standard 3. Even if it's in a sekolah kebangsaan (national school).