I completed my Form Six in 2007 and was until recently, eagerly waiting for the university entrance results to be released.

To my utter horror, when the university placement results were out, I found myself without a place due to there being no record of my application in the system.

I first checked the results at 8am, upon being informed by my friends that the results were out since midnight.

My first reaction upon seeing the error message on the screen was to call the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) which said that the results weren't going to be announced till noon and even they in the ministry didn’t know. They completely ignored what I said about other people obtaining it already.

I called again after 12 and was told that I needed to supply them with the printed notification stating that my university placement application had been received as there was a reference number on it with which they could trace my application with.

I definitely did print out that notification, but unfortunately I am unable to locate it now. But then I got some of my friends to examine their printouts for a reference number, and they confirmed that there was no indication of any reference number on it.

I am completely perplexed regarding this absence of a reference number which the MOHE says is present on the printout. MOHE says that without the reference number I can't even appeal, which is true as I have tried entering my details at the online appeals site.

Furthermore, after going to USM to enquire if I could submit another application or appeal through them, all I obtained was that everything is under the MOHE now, so I would have to go through them for admission.

I am in a quandary now, for after studying for two years in Form Six, it was my desire to pursue Pharmacy or Veterinary Science at a public university as I cannot afford to pursue my education in private institutions due to financial constraints and escalating costs.

Now I'm bereft of options.

I obtained a CGPA of 3.83, having scored two As and 2 A-s in STPM. I am active in my extra -curricular activities, obtaining a score of 92.5 out of a total of 100.

I can only plead with the relevant authorities to consider my application. If the Malaysian government is serious about tackling the ‘brain drain’ it should be more committed to retaining its students.

I am very unhappy with the staff at MOHE that are not at all helpful and showing full disinterest in those who contact them. Because of an administrative blunder or technical glitch, I am unable to secure a place while everyone else leaves for university this week.

Is this what the government prides itself in being, a so-called government of the people, by the people, for the people that has no regard for the plight of its citizens?