I'm a Malaysian of Indian origin and I am perplexed that there are those who insist the head of the Indian Studies Department at Universiti Malaya must be an Indian.

Why? As long as the new head can command the respect and is able to lead the department for whatever criteria set, that person should be chosen - Indian or otherwise.

Let's not give in to petty primordial feelings of race and look beyond such issues.

I for one have neither the time nor interest in reading the ranting of our leaders complaining about it.

What these leaders have done is just moved everyone a step backward.