Professor P Ramasamy has said what we all already know about our public universities and the unequal opportunities for non-bumiputeras. I am just wondering aloud whether after 35 years of the NEP and especially, after the 'kampong-isation' of the public universities - where narrow- mindedness has become a norm - can these same institutions be centres of meritocracy and open -mindedness?

Whilst we embarked on our great leap forward through social engineering, the world has moved on. The national language policy now looks like a historical mistake with English being the global language. We hardly speak it except at official functions.

When the movie industry tries to portray the reality of Malaysians using the national language, they are reprimanded. Unlike in P Ramlee's time, today, movies are not a reflection of social reality but rather a projection of what should be - an idealised Malaysia where the races use the national language properly and live in separate ethnic enclaves.

The other challenge faced by Malaysia today has to do with religion. In a world that is increasingly superstitious - note the proliferation of worship as well as ghost-seekers - we are caught in a bind. There are very many who still cling to the idea that Malaysia should be a theocratic state or at least inspired by divinely-ordained laws.

This gives them a sense of exclusivity and by extension, superiority. To allow someone of a different ethnicity to hold public office is unacceptable but to allow someone of a different religion in decision-making positions would be a sin.

Now, many secular-minded individuals would say that I am really exaggerating the situation. But I think it is high time they take off those rose-tinted glasses and look around. Race and religion are not going away. They are divisive forces that are here to stay. It afflicts the best of us and does not discriminate.

The government is on the right track. By suggesting that higher education needs to be restructured, the government is acknowledging these challenges. But let is also be known that higher education today also involves the very many private universities and colleges.

They too will have to be looked at. Intellectuals in these institutions are treated no better for while there is academic freedom, they have no time to think outside the classroom and sabbaticals for research is unheard of.

So, let us be fair in this review. If bumiputeras are to change their worldview, so should the non-bumis. It takes two hands to clap.