Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of letters on non-bumiputera students unable to get scholarships or entry into local universities despite their good results. I would like to reflect on my life journey so far.
Even after more than 15 years ago, one thing that still sticks in my mind was my unsuccessful scholarship application with one multinational oil and gas company. I was top in my class but my bumi classmate managed to get that lucrative scholarship despite his lower-half class position. Yes, one needs more than just good results to get a scholarship. I was active in other school activities. But luck was not on my side. Or was it because I was of the wrong race? I think even private companies, especially the big foreign oil and gas companies, need to follow some ‘guidelines’ from the government on their staff’s racial quota..
With help from my father, mother, brothers and sisters, I managed to go overseas for my degree. Another shocking barrier was waiting for me when I graduated and returned home. In many job advertisements, ‘Bumiputera preferred’ was stated. I was even thinking of writing to the United Nations on this racial discrimination. I managed to get a job through my commitment to work hard, to deliver and willingness to learn. I have done well and can afford to retire now though my official retirement date is still many years to go.
One shocking realisation came to my mind a few months ago. I was lucky that I did not have to pass my Bahasa Malaysia to get my certificate in the old days. How lucky we were and that would include my brother and sister (both overseas graduates) who were also lucky that they did not have to pass BM to get their certificates. If a pass in BM was mandatory to get the certificate, I would not be able to go overseas for my degree. I would not be where I am now, contributing to the industry and enjoying some of life’s rewards, joys and luxuries.
Like I said to my sons, their father could be just a clerk, earning much, much less in pay. A scary thought and all because of passing BM. I am not belittling the importance of BM. There is a place for our national language but drastically changing one's future because of a fail in that subject, to me, is not right. With my limited command of BM, I can still survive inside and outside the work environment, though at times, I have to ask my wife for help or use the dictionary. But I do not mind as it is not a major problem to me.
One may suggest that I migrate to another country if I do not like it here. But that will be leaving the problem behind for other Malaysians like me to face on the road often travelled by second- class citizens.
