Sarawak's sole opposition state assemblyperson Chiew Chin Sing has filed notice to the legislative assembly to debate the issue of top students from the state whose applications for scholarships have been rejected by the Public Services Department (PSD).

In the notice sent today under Standing Order 5 and addressed to Speaker Awang Asfia Awang Nasser, Chiew (DAP-Kidurong) said this was "a motion of urgent definite public importance" for debate before the meeting adjourns on Friday.

Earlier this week, both the Sarawak United People's Party (Supp), a member of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, and DAP had highlighted the disappointment of their leaders, as well as the students and parents concerned, over the rejection of the applications.

Chiew said: "In June 2005, the PSD had made another blunder when (it rejected the applications for scholarship of) a large number of top students who scored (between 8 and 12 A1s) in Sarawak and other states.

"As at June 13, 2005, there were 60 applications for review of the decisions of the PSD. The re-emergence of the problem reinforces grave doubts about the selection criteria. It further undermines the confidence of our people in the establishment."

Several proposals

Chiew said it is both "unacceptable and ridiculous" that top students are missing out on government scholarships without a satisfactory reason being given.

"These young students are the talent and future leaders of our country. Their encounter in this matter will not only deprive them of the chance to receive better education and reduce their confidence and trust in the government. It also makes a mockery of the whole selection system."

For this reason, he said the legislative assembly should take the first and earliest available opportunity to address the pressing concerns of these students and their parents.

He suggested various proposals to remedy the situation.

First, he said, the assembly should record a note of protest on the PSD's scholarship selection process.

Second, it should call on the department to declare publicly the names of scholarship recipients this year, their results and the justification for awarding the scholarships.

Third, it should also call on the department to review its decision in rejecting the applications of the top scorers in Sarawak.

Chiew added that the state government should offer scholarships to all those students with 8A1s or more, whose applications have been rejected by the department.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.