I agree with Minister of Education Musa Mohamed's assertion that it was a common practice at universities to have various channels for entry.

I was admitted through 'special entry' to do a Masters programme despite my lack of a degree, but I did well while another participants with a basic degree did not make it. Indeed, it is not uncommon to have alternative channels and opportunities for educating people.

But Musa insists, "why is there a problem here?"

Well, the main problem is that race — not qualifications — has played the more prominent role in admissions to our public tertiary institutions. The problem is all the more critical when the authority responsible in formulating educational policies that affect the whole nation do not see (and/or cannot see) this as a problem.

Education is a potent tool to bind people togther. However, when the honourable aim to enhance integration of a multiracial community is abused and used to advance one group at the expense of others, the people are devastated and angered by such unfair policies.

From a sociological perspective, we see affirmative action targetted at minorities in a bid to alleviate their poverty, a move that largely has the support of the majority in any community.

However, the situation is reverse in Malaysia. The minority have to work harder while the majority become increasingly over-dependent as a community. I am baffled by the existence of such a phenomenon.