Prime Minister Najib Razak wants 30 percent of intake into the Royal Military College (RMC) to be from non-Malays.

Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the 30 percent quota of non-Malays was meant to show that the RMC as a full-boarding school was open to all races in the country.

"Even though the new campus located in Sungai Besi will be ready in 24 months but this year when the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) is announced, intake into Form Four and Five will begin as directed by the prime minister," he said after presenting contributions at a 1Malaysia charity event organised by Vesta here today.

He said presently the number of non-Malay students in the college was less than five percent.

He said based on the 1Malaysia concept as espoused by Najib he was confident the intake of non-Malays would increase to 50 percent.

Ahmad Zahid said RMC graduates could make a choice to continue their education in university or join the military service.

"If they choose to join the military service they will be paid an allowance," he said.

No gov’t funds for Umno’s programme

Relating to an allegation by PAS that the ‘Juara Rakyat’ programme used government funds, Ahmad Zahid denied it and said the funds to pay for the programme were from Umno.

"The programme is organised by state Umno liaison bodies and involves private organisations and non-governmental organisations.

"Using the going-to-ground concept, the government always finds ways to be close to the people and ensure that we provide services. That is what we want," he said.

- Bernama