Quota for non-bumi students is the real issue: GPMS president
The Malays should be more concerned with the opening of the matriculation programme and Mara Junior Science colleges (MRSM) to non-bumiputra students, than calling for a 10 percent allocation in private higher learning institutes.
The Peninsular Malaysia Malay Students Foundation (GPMS) president Suhaimi Ibrahim said the real issue in education as regards Malay Malaysians is the allocation of a 10 percent quota for non-bumiputra students in MRSMs which were conceived as boarding schools for bright Malay Malaysians from rural areas.
"[Whereas] as far as the private higher learning institutes are concerned, anyone can enter as long as he or she has money (to pay the fees)," Suhaimi told malaysiakini .
He maintained that the 'rationale' behind the decision to allow other ethnic groups in MRSM Umno leaders with their own statistics, and (MCA president) Dr Ling Liong Sik with his own statistics.
"Eventually, the public will be at a loss because they will be confused and cannot tell which is right and which is wrong," added Hasan.
Provide actual data
He said this problem will not arise if the Education Ministry can be more proactive by providing details on the number of students and courses they are taking, at both public and private institutes of higher learning.
"It's very sad that the Education Ministry is keeping mum on the actual data although it should be the only reliable source, and not Umno or MCA," said Hasan.
Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein described Ling as "uncaring and arrogant" for refusing to accept the proposal to allocate 10 percent quota for bumiputra students at private higher learning institutions.
According to Ling, there is no need for that because Malay Malaysian students who excel in their studies can always study overseas or in local public universities.
He also said there is no point having a quota for Malay Malaysians in private higher learning institutes if the students are not interested to study there.
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