I have been following the hot issue on the quota system in our higher learning institutes with interest. I am a Malaysian who has received all his education abroad before coming back to serve his country. And I have to say that I am somewhat confused and disappointed by the controversy surrounding this issue.

First of all, I think people too often confuse the race issue with an issue like securing a place in a learning institute. It is unfortunate that the latter has been politicised and used to certain ends for politicians' personal agendas.

What is the true essence of a higher learning institute? Should it be a place where our brightest be given the best available education and training in preparation for them to serve their country regardless of race? Or should it be a place where admittance and acceptance is based not on the individual's potential but politically themed quota system?

A learning institute awards its students based on merit system, i.e. the brightest are given top recognition. That's an undeniable system practised in learning institutes all over the world. How are we to justify that Malaysia's learning institutes is a merit-based system when its entrance requirements are not? How are we to convince MNCs and international investors who are contemplating setting up companies here that our local graduates are products of a merit-based system, where only the best is qualified, and not on a quota system, where race is the determining factor in the individual's education qualification?

The affirmative action agenda behind our quota system was implemented some 30 years ago. The world has evolved and our global environment has changed tremendously since then. Globalisation is the key to our survival in this new environment where the best and the fittest excel.

The international business arena is not a quota-based system where race is the determining factor of your survival. It is a merit-based system where the brightest and most hardworking survive. No one will be protected by virtue of their skin colour.

So, the question now is, are we setting up a wrong value system in our education system which will be infused in our younger generation and subsequently in our society?

Things that worked 20-30 years ago might not be suitable for the environment today. Compared to 20 years ago, we have a lot more bumiputra graduates today. But are they the absolute best candidates available or are they simply beneficiaries of the quota system?

It is also perhaps why Universiti Malaya, one of the most prestigious institutions in the region 20 years ago, is not even on the top 40 regional universities ranking according to an international publication in 2000.

Perhaps it is time we reviewed our system.