I am writing to express my disgust at the alleged intimidatory actions of the Universiti Sains Malaysia's Student Affairs Department against their newly-elected student representatives.

If indeed these allegations are true, the USM vice-chancellor (unless he also is involved in this thuggish activity) must put a stop to this moronic behaviour by the department.

Their actions make a mockery of the prime minister's declared intention to make the country a more transparent one (remember 'work with me and not for me'?).

How can the country become more transparent, more open, and more democratic if we have 'little Hitlers' (who really should be working with and for students) bullying our future generation of leaders instead?

Let's face it - the current complaint about local graduates being docile, uncreative and uncritical can be traced back to their educational environment, which is not conducive to the development of critical, creative and lively students.

Unless this environment is changed and situations such as at USM are reversed, Malaysia will never be able to face up to the challenges of globalisation.

Indeed, it is terribly ironic and sad that all this is happening at a university, whose vice- chancellor constantly asserts is becoming 'world class'.