‘New varsity forms a mockery of 1M’sia’

Hundreds of sub-races have been included in the application form for entry into local univerisities, and this has got a former state Bar Council chief all riled up.

IPOH: The new application forms for entry into local universities issued by Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) for this year makes a mockery of Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia concept to unite all races.

Former Perak Bar Council chief M Mathialagan said: “Previously, there were only four columns to indicate the race of a university applicant – Malay, Chinese, Indian or other races.

“But now these four columns have been further sub-divided to include hundreds of sub-races that is mind-boggling and makes a mockery of the 1Malaysia concept,” said the outspoken lawyer.

He said the Malays have been subdivided into six categories: Bugis, Boyan, Banjar, Jawa, Jawi Pekan and Minangkabau.

The Indians are sub-divided into eight categories: Malayali, Punjabi, Sikh, Tamil, Telegu, Malabari, Indian Muslim and Orissa.

The Chinese race is sub-divided into 12 categories: Cantonese, Foochow, Hainansee, Henghua, Hokchia, Hokchiu, Hokkien, Khek (Hakka), Kwongsai, Teochew, Kongfoo and Hylam.

The Orang Asli (Peninsula) are sub-divided into eight categories: Jakun, Negrito, Sakai, Semai, Semalai, Temiar, Senoi and Penan.

The Sarawak population has the largest number of sub-divided races (57) while Sabah’s population is sub-divided into 36 categories.

Said Mathialagan: “Our future generations should not be classified into sub-races but should be treated as one Malaysian race .”

“The requirement by the UPU application forms is counterproductive and is a mockery of Najib’s 1Malaysia concept. Why the need for this now?” he asked.

“This will only generate class consciousness among Malaysians and divide the people further,” he said.

According to him, a university applicant has to pay RM50 to BSN to get a pin number to access his application form from the Internet.

The closing date for this year’s intake into local universities was April 4.