I refer to the letter Brain drain - government may not give a damn . I wish to highlight one of the discriminatory policies employed by the premier university in the country, Universiti Malaya, to discourage non-Malays from joining it as academic staff.

Those serving in the Ministry of Education as teachers or officials in the various departments, and who have attained a Master's degree are recruited as PhD candidates with employment at the university. As UM is under the Ministry of Higher Education, only those who have been given an offer of employment on a full-time basis will be allowed by the Ministry of Education to leave with their service records intact.

If the offer is just for a fellowship with an allowance, the officer must quit his/her position in the Ministry of Education to do his PhD, and after obtaining the PhD must apply to the university for fresh employment which will depend on the prevailing position then.

Recently, the Faculty of Education at Universiti Malaya recruited PhD candidates from the Ministry of Education, and except for one non-Malay candidate, all the others who were Malays who were given full-time employment with the university thereby ensuring that the length of their service in the Ministry of Education was intact while being recruited under the Ministry of Higher Education.

The lone non-Malay candidate was told that it was the policy of the university to give full-time positions only to bumiputeras, while non-bumiputreas must come in as interns, thereby forcing them to quit their Ministry of Education posts if they wish to pursue their PhDs full-time under their terms and conditions.

The lone non-Malay candidate, who was called for an induction meeting along with the others and told pointedly of this matter, just excused herself and left the meeting feeling dejected. Such a blatant discrimination at the premier university of the nation has given her food for thought - what does the future holds for persons like her? Her letter of appeal to the Minister of Higher Education was not responded to either.

Such discriminatory policies that are currently prevalent at many public-funded institutions, departments and ministries are blatantly done probably with the view to discourage non-Malays from even applying for these posts. Once in a while, we have our ministers - and even the prime minister - telling us that there are very few non-Malays applying for positions in the public sector. I suppose that is just for some window dressing and diplomatic politicking.

With such policies, the brain drain will continue even more briskly to the delight of those in power in these places. Yes, they can't give a damn about anything, as long as it is according to their agenda.