I REFER to the news report "All races to get quality opportunities" (NST, July 13), in which the prime minister was reported as saying the government would ensure that every ethnic community got an equal share of opportunities to better itself.

He was also reported as having said the government would strive to reduce the socio-economic divide among the people.

An equitable share of opportunities, such as jobs (including taxi permits), affordable higher education and the purchase or leasing of land for agriculture, etc are some of the areas that the various communities look forward to.

A fair and equitable way of distributing opportunities would be to make them available based on the percentage of the overall population represented by the various communities.

As for jobs, the employment pattern in the public and private sectors does not truly reflect the racial composition of the country.
Addressing this imbalance would surely reduce crime and corruption. Yes, corruption. Those denied opportunities are likely to resort to bribery to even out the odds against them so that they, too, would be able to enjoy the benefits that others take for granted.

Those who can have opportunities granted to them are unlikely to bribe anyone for something they can get without resorting to such methods, such as permits, licences, contracts, etc.

Creating a level playing field of opportunities for all would certainly help eliminate corruption.

The Ali Baba system of farming out taxi permits (often by those holding more than one permit) to those in desperate need of such permits to earn a living, but are unable to get one for themselves, is but one example of unequal distribution of opportunities among the different races.

Imbalances in the distribution of opportunities need to be readjusted to a pattern that truly reflects the dynamics of the racial composition of our country.