YOURSAY | ‘It’s high time we abolish quotas and race-based policies in schools.’

Why scientist who worked with Nasa chose M’sia over the stars

Warrant Addict: Dr Wan Wardatul Amani Wan Salim is now an assistant professor at International Islamic University Malaysia, which is equivalent to a senior lecturer in other universities.

She should be promoted to associate professor at the very least, considering she had worked with Nasa on the ‘Journey to Mars’ payload.

Even more so because many of the professors in Malaysian universities are only promoted for the sake of seniority.

No Faham: Just imagine, from cleaning slides to a PhD. Such opportunities are sadly not possible in Malaysia. Even students who excel are denied these opportunities.

Old Planter: What an inspiring and refreshing story to read. Most impressive are her views on women and leadership, and her current objectives to spur improvements in our country.

Congratulations on her very enlightened thinking and attitude. Hopefully, she and others sent abroad to study and be exposed to better ways of doing things can change the mindsets of her fellow Malaysian academics and scientists indoctrinated by our leaders here.

Kabali: Hopefully Amani gets herself the recognition she deserves in our country. Well done, we are proud of you!

MVA: Congratulations on your achievements, Amani. Thank you for returning home to contribute to our country.

I hope you will be able to expose Malaysians to the practices in the US and other countries that help the hardworking and smart people to excel.

Anonymous_1372232732: Fantastic achievement. Amani shouldn’t be an outlier. It is high time to abolish the nonsense of quotas and special privileges in our educational institutions.

Like Amani, we must shed ourselves of this sickening mentality, and use our own feet to walk without burdening others.

Hello: I don't know whether this academic is naively idealistic, or has her eyes closed to the reality of the education system in Malaysia.

As long as racial quotas are enforced in the highest echelons of academia and the government service, then the quest for innovation will remain a pipe dream.

Anonymous 2484491505281360: Fundamental to Amani’s achievement is the unbiased treatment and acceptance of all in her university and in Nasa.

Here, ultimately the person is in charge is decided by race and religion, while others have to do the job. Maybe she can solve that problem.

Fair Player: Amani talks a lot of sense, although I might differ in her opinion of schoolteachers. Yes, we do get a handful of them making headlines for all the wrong reasons, but most teachers are competent and dedicated.

Teaching is a very noble profession and a very high calling for those who are passionate and competent.

Unfortunately, in Malaysia, many teachers are there for a lot of wrong reasons; foremost are the race-based policies in the country, which downgrades our profession and education standards as a whole.

Hank Marvin: I hope Amani can go far, because she is now working in a university where Umno monitors everything, just like in other public universities.

Anonymous: Hopefully our politicians don’t end up demotivating this talented young scientist and make her migrate elsewhere.

RM2.6 Billion Turkey Haram: This is one Malaysian who has done the country proud overseas. More of Amani please, even if just to counter the shame Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) has brought to the country.

AJ: If Amani really wants to fix problems back home in Malaysia, she should invent a pill that can cure Umno of corruption.

Subra: Indians would be better off if Dr M had helped them

EmEmKay: I am really confused now. Past MIC president S Samy Vellu mentioned that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad did a lot for the Indian community, whereas the present MIC leader, Dr S Subramaniam, says otherwise.

Clever Voter: Blaming Mahathir is probably the easiest thing to do.

Everyone knows MIC has access not only annual allocation, but also different grants to support education, training and entrepreneurship. With little to show, more promises were repeatedly announced much to the annoyance of many.

Past scandals continue to haunt MIC leadership. With high unemployment among the Indian youths, and unresolved red identity cards, and limited access to higher education, there is every reason to hold MIC accountable.

As a doctor, Subramaniam should know the symptoms. One of these is definitely not Mahathir.

Anonymous 133971438080786: First and foremost, what has Subramaniam done for the Indian community?

Even in the M Indira Gandhi unilateral child conversion case, they were completely silent and nowhere to be seen, because they were afraid of angering their useless leaders.

Worried Sick: I had so much respect for Subramaniam before this, thinking the Indian community has finally found a good man, but he is a let-down. He has (conveniently?) forgotten about the Maika and Telekom scandals.

If those two endeavours have been successfully carried out with their intended aims, the Indian people would certainly be better off.

Mosquito Brain: Subramaniam is absolutely right. The Indian Malaysian community would be a lot better off if allocations to MIC were channelled and distributed equally and fairly to the Indian community.

But they weren’t, only being siphoned off by greedy party warlords.

Anonymous #19098644: Why after 61 years of BN rule and nine years under PM Najib Abdul Razak is the Indian community still facing a never-ending dilemma of marginalisation, grinding poverty and statelessness amongst certain segments of the community?

Isn’t been relegated to the ranks of hewers of wood and carriers of water for BN, while the MIC leaders enjoy the crumbs from the table, sufficiently degrading?

DPM Ahmad Zahid Hamidi seemed to suggest a few days ago that with the RM2 million donation, the Indian community should forget all their past woes and look forward to supporting BN.

As if by giving 90 sen to every Indian Malaysian all their problems and neglect would be forgiven. Are Indian Malaysians so degraded and marginalised that Umno thinks that 90 sen is all they are worth?

Better_Malaysia: Put simply, Subramaniam is saying that the BN government and the MIC have done nothing at all in the last 20 years for the Indian community.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.