I refer to the letter ('Are Malays being punished?', May 8). First and foremost, Dr Mahathir Mohamad merely said university quota for races may be abolished, and not will be abolished. Also, as The Star reported yesterday in 'Varsity student intake will be reviewed each year, says PM', this 'move' is not permanent, and will be reviewed each year.

Secondly, what use is the university quota benefit if bumiputras are not interested in them by studying hard to get better grades? Every intelligent, hardworking student deserves a place in local higher education institutions.

Thirdly, please do not twist the words of the wise, late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein. No doubt the "ratio of professional bumiputras was extremely pathetic before Tun Abdul Razak's time", and having the university quota would achieve a balanced ratio between professional bumiputras and non-bumiputras at that time. The late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein had envisioned that the bumiputras would make use of the quota to become professionals. But is having 'half-baked' doctors, lawyers, engineers and accountants who come from a questionable university quota system good enough for the country?

Fourthly, many things have happened since Malaysia's independence to rectify the imbalance between professional bumiputras and non-bumiputras. In this 21st century, this balance has been achieved. There are many bumiputras in Malaysia who are professionals, and who have the opportunity to educate their young on the importance of education. Hence, young bumiputras do have the opportunity to enter universities by competing fairly for entrance by studying hard.

Why is the letter writer worrying if this is a form of government punishment? The idea behind abolishing the university quota for races is to promote fair competition. Is the writer saying that bumiputras are not good enough to compete fairly? How much longer do the bumiputras have to rely on the crutches provided by the government? Other countries are not going to provide bumiputras their privileges to survive in today's global economy.

All I have to say is let the best Malaysian minds, bumiputras and non-bumiputras, represent Malaysia and maximise Malaysia to her full capabilities.