I WRITE in response to the letter “Pitch in to help top scorer” (The Star, March 13). I am a medical student in a local university in Kuala Lumpur. However, I did not take the STPM as I went through the matriculation programme.

Out of the 200 students in my class, only 18 took the STPM and I see the struggle they went through and the amount of effort they put in before their STPM exams as the chances of STPM students getting into a local university of their choice are very slim.

Many of my STPM friends too feel that it would be a waste for Kok Fei to give up his dream of becoming a doctor, which in the long run would not only benefit his family but the country as well.

I personally know of friends who are top scorers in STPM who have been lured to Singapore and other parts of the world to study and eventually they settle down there.

Besides asking Kok Fei to apply for scholarships and financial aid from different parties, I support Malcolm Low in his plea to the Government, NGOs and private sectors here in Malaysia to be more proactive in giving aid to our next generation of leaders.

Let not Kok Fei’s circumstance be a hindrance to his brilliance and potential. I’m sure Malaysia can do better than this.

TIMC,
Petaling Jaya.

Source: The Star – March 14, 2008