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September 18, 2004
Giving Equal Chances
I read an article on Dr Cheah's blog and after looking at the length of my original comment, I decided that I should blog about it instead.
The original article is on thestaronline. In this article, Datuk Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh and Prof Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah explained why UiTM will not accept non-bumiputra students.
UTUSAN Malaysia and Berita Harian highlighted the strong objections to a suggestion that Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) be opened to non-bumiputra students.
In Utusan’s front-page report, Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh was quoted as saying that the Government would not allow non-bumiputra students to enrol at UiTM.
He said the aim of setting up UiTM was to increase the number of Malay professionals, an idea agreed upon by leaders of all races in the past.
“We can’t change; they have to remember the social contract. No compromises,” he said in an interview on Thursday.
He was responding to Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik’s suggestion that UiTM be opened to other races as a multi-racial university would benefit the nation.
Dr Shafie said UiTM was unlike other institutions.
“The reality is that UiTM is an institution relating to the rights and privileges of the Malays. This can’t be questioned.”
He also said that if the response of Chinese students to the Mara Junior Science College could be used as a yardstick, they might not be interested in enrolling in institutions like UiTM.
“The response to the 10% quota for non-bumiputra students in the Mara college has been poor,” he said.
In the Berita Harian report, UiTM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah said he disagreed with Dr Ling’s suggestion.
“But the final decision lies with the Prime Minister and the Higher Education Minister,” he said.
Dr Ibrahim said UiTM was set up to balance the racial profile of graduates in the country.
“Although UiTM is capable of producing up to 200,000 graduates to date, the numbers have yet to reach this target,” he said.
“Up to today, we are unable to match graduates from other races, and you can imagine the situation if the enrolment was open to other races.”
Dr Ibrahim also said that about 90% of all private institutions of higher learning in the country were owned by non-Malays.
“In public institutions, Malays make up a minority in critical fields and degrees offered,” he said.
He said if graduates produced in Malaysia were only made up of one race, it could lead to political instability.
In another article on the very same day, the government talks about harmony and unity among Malaysians. Is this hypocrisy? I don't know.
I acknowledge that nothing is fair in this world but to go to great length just to create unfairness seems hardly justifiable. Giving people of a particular race precedence over others in various aspects of life will not only create unhappiness among the people, it will also hinder the growth and improvement of that particular race.
In my opinion, if the government is interested in helping to create more professionals of a particular race, then helping these students achieve academic excellence and thereby earning entry into university based on their own merit is a better way to go about it. For example, giving them tuition classes will help them in their studies and allow more of them to meet the prerequisite for entry into various undergraduate courses.I think the key here is about having people earn seats in courses rather than creating an easy way out for certain people. Won't this result in less unhappiness among members of other races? Won't this rid of perceptions about substandard professionals produced from our local universities?
In the article, Dr Shafie Salleh talks about the social obligation towards the Malay community. Now, my question is, what about the country's obligation towards other tax paying Malaysians? Does the government only care about the growth fo the Malay community? Does that mean that the government acknowledges that Malaysians of other races are second class citizens?
Dr Ibrahim claims that if graduates are of one particular race, it will lead to political instability. Now, won't giving a particular race priority over others in university entry and in opportunities to further their studies later on mean that in the long run, there will be more graduates of that particular race also? Won't that contribute to political instability? On top of that, won't the unhappiness of other races create instability in the first place?
Lastly, the government talks about brain drain. If ALL Malaysians have the same rights and are accorded equal opportunities to advance in Malaysia, will some people be attracted to come back to Malaysia? Will those who plan to work overseas have second thoughts?
Go think about it... :)
Or maybe I should just be contented with the ways things are and stop ranting like a brat. Hmm...
Posted by yeepei at September 18, 2004 09:16 PM
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Comments
Almost sorry to say this; this type of attitude is what's holding Malaysia back from being a good - or dare I even dream it, great - country
PS - I'm referring to Dr. Shafie's Comments!
I totally agree with YP!!!
Posted by: Chrishoo at September 19, 2004 01:53 AM
There's a long history behind this, altho that's no excuse for such a decision.
Look at it this way - UiTM is not the only university and if they choose to have such a policy, then they'll only be limiting themselves. In the long run, UiTM will be the loser as they will end up attracting the opposite of quality and excellence, and eventually be at the bottom of the list as a good university to consider.
Posted by: Chet at September 19, 2004 09:51 AM
The loser will not be UiTM or any university in particular. The loser will be Malaysia and her people.
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