Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has apologised for stating that government policies had allowed "slow learners" to enrol in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).
"I apologise if I have hurt anyone who felt hurt by what I have said," he said.
Tengku Adnan spoke to reporters after meeting the UiTM Alumni Association head Mohd Zaini Hassan and several alumni members at the Umno headquarters in PWTC today.
Tengku Adnan, who is Umno secretary-general, said his controversial remark was aimed at motivating students and reminding them of Umno's successes over the past 60 years.
"That was my intention. I didn't know that there will be certain people would take advantage and rile up UiTM and other students," he said.
He said he will be more careful in the future and hoped that his apology would put the matter to rest.
"I am aware that sometimes I am mulut celupar (loose cannon), right? So this mulut celupar has to be careful.
"My intention was to remind (young people) of the importance of a stable government and a united country," he said.
Alumni members cry foul
The controversial remark was made on Sunday during an award ceremony for students, where Tengku Adnan was the guest of honour.
He said many Malay youths can now enter universities, unlike before. "Slow learners," he said, can enter ITM, UiTM's predecessor.
He also claimed that some institutions accommodate those who don't make the grade.
"Sometimes, those who cannot enter (universities) locally, we send them abroad. Then they come back, they think they are smart and scold Umno," he said.
However, critics and UiTM graduates were mostly upset over the "slow learners" remark.
Many have pointed out that a large number of VIPs, including cabinet ministers, judges and corporate figures, were products of UiTM.
Since its inception, UiTM and its predecessor have produced more than 700,000 graduates.
The institution has 30 campuses and is the public university which receives the most government funding. - Mkini
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