Outstanding bumiputera students should not worry about being deprived of scholarships if their qualifications meet the criteria set by the Public Service Department (PSD), said MCA Youth education bureau chief Wee Ka Siong.

mca youth assembly 260806 wee ka siong Wee, also the deputy education minister, said in a statement today that generally all students should not fear losing out to lesser performing candidates if they had met all the criteria set by the department.

He was responding to objections voiced by Umno Youth education bureau chief Ahmad Ikmal Ismail on the increased percentage of PSD scholarships given to non-bumiputera students today.

Ahmad expressed concern in remarks published today over the steep increase in scholarship granted to non-bumiputera students, from 10 percent to 45 percent. He alleged that the move would make bumiputera students lose out on opportunities.

"We object to this move because it now means that 700 scholarships for bumiputera students are gone," Ahmad was quoted as saying in the Star .

Wee however saw nothing wrong with more non-bumiputera students getting the PSD scholarships.

Win-win situation

He noted that if public university admissions were now merit based, government education aids should also follow this lead.

"It is disheartening for any of our students with qualifications that meet, or are higher than the guideline set by the PSD, find themselves denied an opportunity to further their studies," he said in his statement.

The department which offered only 900 places in 2004 increased the number up to 2,000 this year to widen the scope of the grants, as more and more students achieved excellent results in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations.

"As the current PSD policy of automatically awarding scholarships to applicants who obtained 10As and above in SPM, and whose monthly family income fell below RM1,500 as announced by the prime minister in last year's budget still stands, applicants who meet this criteria need not fear losing out to lesser performing candidates," added Wee.

He also said that the trend on the number of scholarship awards was on the rise.

"Henceforth, the decision to increase the percentage to non-bumiputera recipients is in tandem with rise in the number of scholarships bestowed. It is a win-win situation for all," he said.

Parliament scrutiny

Wee said that the lack of government scholarships to deserving students was also a major factor in contributing to the nation's brain drain.

"Drawing on past experiences, such students had little if no choice but to further their studies in universities overseas, and some of whom were also granted scholarships based on merit. They would then work and stay overseas upon graduation," said Wee.

Wee asserted that dejection and resentment will keep students and their families from contributing to the country's progress.

"The government has consistently encouraged the building of human capital and talent and PSD is moving in the correct direction in harnessing more brain-gains and talents for the country," he said.

In the past week, PSD policies came under scrutiny at Parliament after the department announced the names of those who had succeeded in receiving the grant but failed to explain the reason some failed.

Opposition parliamentarian Yusmadi Yusoff (PKR-Balik Pulau) asked for the PSD to be more transparent and inform applying students the reasons for their rejection.

Meanwhile PSD officials announced on May 31 that the department will provide swift assistance to 151 applicants - 34 bumiputera students and 117 non-bumiputera, who failed to secure the grant to study overseas.

The department said it will also consider explaining why some students were unsuccessful.