I am writing this letter firstly to express my empathy for the SPM top scorers recently who failed to secure places in local universities. It is even more painful to note that the situation has not changed at all from the early 1980s. But more importantly, I want to send a message of encouragement to the folks who may feel thoroughly depressed over their misfortunes, be it child or parent.

I scored 8As in my SPM examination in 1981, topping the district's honour list. I was one of the few candidates nationwide, who secured such results, and coming from a rural school, too. Words could not have expressed how my parents felt. My dad, a land office clerk, retired now, had been in the civil service for almost 31 years when I received my results. My mum was cook, mentor and tutor for her three children.

In addition, I was a school prefect, captain of several societies and represented the school/district in athletics, volleyball and badminton. I was part of the inter-school sports' quiz team that came first nationwide in consecutive years when we took part. I was also a math olympian in 1980 and 1981. My 'kampung school' basked in national limelight. Naturally, coming from a modest family background, I felt very proud to have achieved so much.

I never had the support of tuition nor the benefit of extra coaching - my family just could not afford such luxuries. My brothers and I depended on hand-me-down books and clothes from relatives. During the school holidays, we worked as construction labourers to earn the pocket money for the next term. Yet, I felt no bitterness nor despair - it made me all the more determined to succeed in life.

So when I applied to the various universities to pursue engineering, being an Indian (i.e., not having to compete in the Chinese quota category ) top scorer, I thought my chances of getting a place in local universities was almost guaranteed.

Wrong. Till this day, I don't know why I was rejected. Calls and letters of appeal to various education ministry officials were unsuccessful - again, no reasons given. Back in 1982, there was very little a poor Indian boy from a dirtwater kampung could do, faced with such a situation - the people in power, in or out of the government then, had little time to deal with such issues. Then the despair really hit me. I thought of continuing with my temporary job as a waiter at KFC in Sungei Wang Plaza in KL.

But my father, being a man of few words, said, what I believe, the wisest words ever uttered to me: "Son, I have educated you to the best level that I can afford. If you choose to work now, you will live the exact life that I am leading. Or you can choose to study further, and maybe get out of this rut. If you choose to study, you will have to find your own means as I have two other children to see through till Form Five. You decide."

Through perseverance, I got an Asean scholarship and from then on, life took many turns for the better. No, I did not become an engineer. Almost 16 years after the conversation with my Dad, I became a partner in the largest accounting firm in the world - I believe, a much better lifestyle than that of a waiter.

In life, barring the fortunate silver-spooned few, success comes to those who really try, even if at 17 or 18, all appears lost when you receive a letter that starts with the words, "Dukacita dimaklumkan..."

Oh yes, my younger brother, who used to assist me with the contract labour work in the 1970s, now runs his own law firm.