DAP using scholarship row to kindle fire, says Soi Lek

Dr Chua warned DAP against turning the scholarship row into a race issue. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek spoke out against DAP for its continued needling of MCA in the ongoing scholarship row, and accused the opposition party of sowing discontent within the Chinese community.

Speaking to reporters after the party’s Central Committee (CC) meeting today, the MCA president said he has set up a committee, to be chaired by Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn, to come up with guidelines for a transparent and fair way to pick eligible students for the scholarship.

“We want to remind DAP, do not turn this scholarship programme by the government into a racial and political issue,” he said.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had said the party was “disappointed” with the Cabinet’s decision to send 86 SPM top scorers to study in local private colleges and universities despite Dr Chua’s recent statements that MCA would push for overseas scholarships to be awarded to these students.

Of the 86 students who appealed, three were Malay Bumiputeras, one Sarawak Bumiputera, 71 Chinese and 11 Indians.

Dr Chua pointed out that 1,620 Chinese students received scholarships from the government, the highest ever since the government introduced the Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship.

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