Proton signed its death warrant years ago with its refusal to improve the quality and safety of its cars. Instead they were holding on precariously to a protectionist policy in order to maintain an unfair advantage over its competitors and thus hog the automative market. This policy is now losing its grip due to pressures from the free trade agreements Malaysia signed with its ASEAN neighbours. Now Proton is bleeding badly and the end is in sight.

One cannot help but draw a parallel with what is happening at University Malaya. Its refusal to maintain meritocracy has driven many talents away from this century old institution. Its academia is also losing precious assets mainly due to poor human resource management, lack of incentives and unfair policies involving areas of promotion. Its leaders lacks vigor or a sense of purpose. They seem almost lackadaisical and displaying pomp in all the wrong areas. Freedom of expression is often thwarted with threats of legal action as prominently displayed during the last campus election. Quality is never the foremost criteria in the minds of our academicians, preferring instead to maintain strong political ties and pleasing the ruling alliance ahead of the actual interests of the university.

It is now perhaps no longer the best university in Malaysia. Its glories are now memories of a lost era. Unfortunately, cash will never bail out the mess in which UM is now deeply entrenched.