Referring to the letter by FZ, 'Get to the real issue' (May 19). Let us not kid our self about the real issue.

The real issue is and has been all about race.

The current hot topic on high achievers not being able to get into local public universities is because of the quota system.

And what is the quota system?

The quota system is 55 percent of university intake goes to bumiputras and 45 percent to non-bumiputras.

And what is the difference between bumiputra and non-bumiputra?

It is differentiated along racial lines.

So how can you get away from the racial issue when it is the root cause of all issues?

When the prime minister called that the Malays must unite and fight (whom?), he is raising a racial issue.

The MIC in its 55th annual general assembly today resolved to request the government to reserve 10 percent of the intake in public universities for the Indian community.

It is a request based on racial grounds.

We will only be able to get away from this racial stigma when merit is the first consideration.