Issues linked to admission of students to public universities have once again become a hotly debated topic in Malaysian society.

Last year, when the system of meritocracy was introduced, sections of society had expressed various concerns. These issues have resurfaced because the underlining issues have not been resolved.

There was a slight overall improvement in the Indian Malaysian intake this year, against the 2002 figures. For example, Indian Malaysians filled1,931 or 5.2 percent of the places available, against 1,530 admissions or 4.7 percent last year.

However, MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu had to highlight the predicament of the Indian Malaysian community last week.

It was revealed that only one student of Indian origin received admission into the Universiti Malaya medical faculty, which recently took in 200 students. In 2001, the number was 16, compared to five in 2002 and one this year.

Expressing such concerns is a legitimate right of all Malaysians. It is the duty of any community leader to articulate critical issues, in order to facilitate government action and public review. Failure to do this will have negative implications not only for the community, but the nation as well.

However what is worrying are the responses of politicians as reported by the New Straits Times with a front page report on July 3, 2003 and an editorial on July 4,2003. Let me look at the issues more critically.

Truly Malaysian

Firstly, I agree that we must all stop speaking along racial lines and must reflect a Malaysian outlook on all matters.

This principle cannot be applied selectively - as in the matter of admission to public universities - but must become the fundamental basis of all aspects affecting us as citizens. Unfortunately, all Malaysian politicians are currently utilising the race-polarisation argument.

Secondly, I also agree that merit must be the only consideration for admission to institutions of higher learning. This will enable Malaysians to be competitive in the global economy.

However, the critical paradox is that entry is being based on two differing systems in assessing who is eligible for admission.

Malaysians would admit that the STPM route is very different from the matriculation system. The two systems differ at fundamental levels.

At the heart of the issue is the assessment system. In the case of matriculation, which is based on a semester system, the examination is set internally and conducted every semester. Course work is also taken into account.

In the STPM system, the examination is held at the end of a two-year course. It is set externally by the Cambridge Examinations Syndicate and marked externally.

Single system

There is an urgent need for the Education Ministry to introduce one system of study and assessment for all qualifying SPM students, in undertaking entry courses for public universities.

Only then can we truly say that the system is based on merit. Until then, the perceptions of certain sections of our community will be that they face discrimination.

Whether these perceptions are right or wrong, the onus is on the government to clear doubts in an open, accountable and transparent way. This is imperative as the Barisan National government is the government of all Malaysians.

To ensure transparency and public accountability, the ministry must publish details of students admitted in terms of number, ethnicity, grades and the route taken - whether via STPM or matriculation.

It must also reveal details of admission to matriculation colleges. Last year, the ministry pledged that the intake would include 10 percent of non-bumiputeras. To date, no details have been revealed.

Equitable access

Thirdly, the national education policy and plan has been formulated on the basis of providing equal access, opportunities and equity through education for all Malaysians. The fundamental principle is that education is central to social upliftment and advancement.

Malaysians - especially the government and, in this case, the Education Ministry - should be concerned if any section of society is unable to attain fair and equitable access to public education.

It is the education minister who must explain why students of either gender and of any ethnic origin and socio-economic status cannot gain access to public universities. The minister must also state the steps to be taken to address this in the short- and long-term.

The selection system introduced last year will eventually have an impact on the Indian Malaysian community, which will be alienated from public universities.

They will have to look to private and overseas options for higher education. This has implications for racial integration which will further polarise the races.

If any section feels alienated, then it must be the task of other sections of the community to enable and empower the less fortunate among them. This is the principle of the National Economic Policy and the foundation of modern Malaysia.

We must collectively strive to build a more inclusive society and ensure through concrete action and intervention programmes that all sections of Malaysian society have access and equal opportunities.

DR DENISON JAYASOORIA is the executive director of Yayasan Strategik Sosial , a MIC- run NGO that had been tasked to organise, among others, community-based social programmes to address social ills among low-income squatter families living in low-cost housing areas.