My ancestors came to Malaysia before the 1900s. My grandparents were born in Malaysia and have died in Malaysia. My grandfather had left his mark as a building contractor on some of the most magnificent historical buildings in Penang.

Yet, today, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren are nothing but second-class citizens who are discriminated against and are often reminded to be grateful for the handouts given to them by their generous 'host'.

Given all that, I don't love Malaysia any less, but it is extremely frustrating to watch the discrimination that is so rampant in this country. It is so unfortunate that this country, which has so much potential, is run by government policies ridden with discrimination against the minority population.

After years of depriving qualified non-bumiputra from publicly-funded tertiary education, the government has decided to introduce a lopsided meritocracy system. Then, it comes out to say that 10 percent of spaces can be created on top of the existing spaces at the Mara Junior Science colleges so non-Bumiputeras can enroll in matriculation to promote race relations.

Now, we even hear of government officials suggesting that even more public university places will be needed to educate the bumiputra.

We need to realise that a university education is not for everyone. It should be for those who have the academic capabilities and have a personal desire to succeed in higher learning.

To try to give everyone a university degree can turn out to be a serious problem without weeding out those who cannot excel academically. Look at the Philippines, for instance. Just about everyone has a degree. What is the value then in working for a degree?

We have to admit that some people make outstanding managers, doctors and lawyers while others make outstanding farmers, mechanics, and merchants. White- and blue-collar folks are needed.

Just because someone is given the opportunity does not mean they will perform their best especially when everything is a free ride. After years of discriminatory policies, we are starting to see a great decline in all sectors of Malaysian society.

Graduates are coming out with paper degrees with no work experience, degrees in fields that are not marketable, no English skills, greater competition than they have ever experienced, and the list goes on. Malaysia has shot herself in the foot by denying the great number who would be the cream of the crop to rise to their full potential.

To discriminate against other races is to say one's hand is more important than one's foot. I cannot nurture my hand (bumi) and deprive my foot (non-bumi) of attention and expect to stay healthy in the long run.

For Malaysia to continue being a leading nation in Asean, it needs to abolish all discriminatory policies and open all sectors to free competition. A country is no different from a family. Good and responsible parents do not treat one child differently from another but help them all achieve their hopes and dreams.