The Malaysian Bar - Govt scholarship ratio sparks shouting match

Home

News

Legal/General News

Govt scholarship ratio sparks shouting match

Govt scholarship ratio sparks shouting match

Friday, 18 July 2008 08:58am

Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman

• Scholarship ratio to stay at 55:45
• Nazri defends PSD scholarship quota

©New Straits Times (Used by permission)
Reports by Eileen Ng, Joseph Sipalan, Adrian David and Irdiani Mohd Salleh

AS the government unveiled a scholarship scheme for top Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia students, the 55:45 scholarship ratio between Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras became a point of contention in the house.

A shouting match over the ratio erupted after Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, announced that the new Public Service Department scholarships would go to students of all races, religions and economic status.

He said the government had yet to set the minimum standard to qualify for scholarships under the programme but "if they score 15As, we will just close our eyes and let them have the scholarships".

However, as he detailed the new scheme, Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) interjected to say that he was against the current scholarship ratio as it purportedly compromised the rights of Bumiputeras guaranteed under the constitution.

"If the government puts forward a populist policy just to please others, I will not support this policy. We cannot compromise the constitutional right of Bumiputeras," he said, sparking protests from M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) and Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam).

Both opposition MPs described Tajuddin's statement as racist because it did not consider the plight of poor Chinese and Indians.

A heated exchange ensued with Kulasegaran calling Tajuddin "dumb", prompting the latter to challenge Kulasegaran to step outside the house.

The argument, which began as Nazri was winding up the committee-level debate on the Supplementary Supply (2008) Bill 2008, continued for several minutes until Barisan Nasional backbenchers managed to calm Tajuddin.

As things returned to normal, Nazri said economic status would not come into the equation as far as selection of candidates for the new scholarships was concerned.

This was because any use of economic status as a yardstick would discourage the best minds from staying in the country.

The new ratio was introduced last year to replace the previous quota of 90 per cent for Bumiputeras and 10 per cent for non-Bumiputeras.

Nazri denied that the new ratio was part of a populist policy or that the government was compromising on the constitutional right of Bumiputeras.

"We are not questioning the rights of Malays or the social contract. This is not a populist policy; it is just fair.

"The ratio needs to have a basis and I think the population would be a good reference. If you are talking about setting an 80:20 ratio, no way. But if we follow the population ratio, at 55:45 or 60:40, that is easier to accept.

"What I can guarantee is that the Bumiputera quota will not go below 50 per cent."

Set as favourite

Email This

Comments (5) Add Comment

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Bankrupt Politicians...
written by Shaikh Abdul Saleem, Friday, July 18 2008 12:50 pm

This BN Pasir Salak MP is just another Bung. To call him a 'kampung' politician is an insult to kampung folk. On the other hand we can't really blame him, after all even a 23 year old university drop out can get direct access to the DPM for a 'scholarship'...

Shaikh Abdul Saleem

It's not just about the ratio,
written by Alex Tan Ken Seng, Friday, July 18 2008 01:14 pm

It's also who actually gets the scholarships.

The authorities could say that as high as 75% of the scholarships are only for Bumiputras, but it's not very good for the poor Bumis in our country either, if the majority of it goes to UMNO family members, relatives, cronies and those who don't need the aid.

Alex Tan Ken Seng

Shameful and disgraceful.
written by Ng Chung Yee, Friday, July 18 2008 01:48 pm

Our country strives to keep the best minds, but yet there are so much opposition to by claiming specific entitlement first, whilst merits are relegated. I am strongly for the view that scholarships (tax payer's money) should benefit the poor but bright student. It can be given to bumiputera as it is not an issue, but if it involves putting aside other more deserving candidate, how are we moving forward? Other countries are willing to give scholarship to our students because its a fruitful investment and why can't Malaysia do the same?

I guess to Tajuddin, playing the race card will give him the popularity as a warrior that champion bumiputera rights. To me, he is just thinking with his a**.

Ng Chung Yee

Pick our Golds and Stay Them within our own folds!
written by Tan Peek Guat, Friday, July 18 2008 11:45 pm

I sincerely consider that it is not so easy to score "15 As" in the examinations, nor FULLY ALL As in any other examination.

If there is any MEMBER OF PARTLIAMENT or ADUN who has achieved this feat, he or she should now stand out and be counted, and be encouraged to say "Yes, I am one of the top scorers". Otherwise, all MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT or ADUNs ought to be more reasonable towards the top scorers - unless they have no 'reason' but only 'race' in mind. If so, they ought to be put in the mud, and not be allowed to represent any Malaysian!

The question here, therefore, is not one of 'race, religion, nor economic status'. It is the case of the nation's duty in providing the necessary financial assistance so as to encourage and boost the development of our very own NATURAL, NATIONAL and HUMAN RESOURCES - for the sake of our emphasis on the future enhancement of our very natural, national, human resources to boost our GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCTs. Who now, can say that the GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCTs and INCOMEs ARE UNIMPORTANT TO OUR OWN COUNTRY?

Do not be hypocrites. On the one hand the Member of Parliament will say : "Oh, I love my country". However, on the other hand, he simply throws away such 'golden products born within our own lands' to other countries! This shows recklessness and irresponsibilities; and we certainly can do without electing them again!

Therefore, "pick our golds, and stay them within our folds!"

Tan Peek Guat

Do Members of Parliament deserve to carve for themselves a portion of our National Cake?
written by Tan Peek Guat, Saturday, July 19 2008 12:42 am

My Addendum,

Datuk Tajuddin, the Barisan Member of Parliament for Pasir Salak, should not be so selfish and shallow minded, nor lacking in the needed grey matter. It is surprising that even, as a "Datuk", he cannot even think straight.

Does he know it or not that the ECONOMIC CAKE HAS NO STATED NOR LIMITED SIZE?

It is therefore, his duty, and the duties of all other members of Parliament, over and above any Malaysian, - to work towards attracting foreign investments and increasing the size of our national economic CAKE.

Otherwise, even as a Member of Parliament he does not deserve to receive his monthly portion of our national wealth, that is, a portion of our national cake - which goes towards supporting him and his family/families!

Mr MBW, kindly combine both my comments and forward the same to the New Straits Times and request them to publish it. Thank you.

Tan Peek Guat

Write comment

You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Transmenu powered by JoomlArt.com - Mambo Joomla Professional Templates Club