Targeted assistance must reach those who really need it

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s defence of the bumiputra agenda in “No room for elitist thinking” (The Star, May 4) rightly rejects “elitist thinking that sidelines bumiputra interests” while affirming merit, like automatic university placements to students who achieved 10As and above regardless of background.

Around the world, affirmative action is either being redesigned, curtailed or fundamentally questioned. Malaysia’s model deserves to be measured against that backdrop.