Barisan Nasional Government a disgrace

A letter published in the NST today should put our Barisan Nasional Government to shame but we all know that this is what happens when agenda Ketuanan is the order of the day.

WHAT MORE CAN I DO TO IMPRESS?
by T.H.L.
Malacca

I SCORED 11 A1s and an A1 for 1119 English. In the Penilaian Menengah Rendah examinations, I was among the top students at national level. I have consistently been the top student throughout primary and secondary school.

For co-curricular activities, I scored 9.65 out of 10 marks. I held various posts in school, including the president of the Student Council, president of the Math and Science Society, secretary of the Tennis Club, and treasurer of the Scout movement. I have also received the Principal's Award.

At the national level, I led the school team to win the National Science Challenge. Besides that, I am also a King Scout. I was also a school debater. I obtained a Gold Certificate in Olympiad Physics and High Distinction for the National Chemistry Quiz.

I applied to do Matriculation, a Public Services Department award and a place at a local university. However, I have been turned down for everything, including a place in Matriculation.

Despite achieving excellent results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations and excelling in co-curricular activities, I did not receive a single offer. What have I done wrong? What more do they want from me?

********************

Over the past few days in casual conversation, I have heard stories that further reinforces the sad state of affairs in our education system.

Case #1 is of a lady lawyer who has a successful private legal practice in Seremban. Her daughter studied in a local premier girls' school and one day the girl was hauled up to the principal's office and given a stern warning for not wearing a tudung nor baju kurung to school.

The lady lawyer went to see the school principal to protest the matter and insisted that it was not part of the Education Ministry's directive that Muslim girls must don the baju kurung and headscarf to school. What shocked her next is the principal telling her to take her girl out of the school if she refused to abide by the principal's rules.

That must have been the last straw for the lady lawyer because not long thereafter, the family packed up their bags and migrated to New Zealand.

Case #2 is of a girl who scored 2A+ and 2A- in her STPM exams and yet unable to get any offers from our public universities to study medicine. Disappointed, she sought the help of a local lawyer who wrote to the former deputy Education Minister about her case but the YB must have been too busy to even bother to reply.

Why are we still lamenting about brain drain in our country?

Despite the privileges and quotas yet some Malays are leaving this country and some who have graduated overseas on PSD scholarships refuse to return home. The non-Malays have long given up hope that all they have to do is study hard and the government will help them to achieve their dreams and ambitions.

These are the makings of the Barisan Nasional government that people have voted into power. Hopefully, the day will come soon when all Malaysians will have a second chance to make this country a better place for all of us, whether you are a Melayu or not. And you should bet our hope lies not in BN.