'Keep non-bumis out of UiTM' petition gets over 100k backers

In less than 24 hours, more than 100,000 people have signed a petition against opening up Universiti Teknologi Mara (Uitm) to the non-bumiputera.

The petition started in response to Hindraf 2.0 which yesterday petitioned the Committee on Institutional Reforms to open up the university to other races.

At writing time, the petition, initiated by UiTM Alumni Association (Pauitm) president Mohd Zaini Hassan, who also Utusan Malaysia assistant chief editor, had garnered 105,725 signatories out of the target 150,000 people.

"Pauitm stands firm and unanimously objects to any attempt to open Uitm to all races.

"This is based on the premise that UiTM is a tertiary education institution intended for Malays and the bumiputera and is part of Malay special privileges as enshrined under Section 153 of the Federal Constitution," said the petition.

Pauitm claims to represent some 700,000 members. The association said it was concerned that Hindraf may be stirring up anger in the bumiputera community.

"Even though Pauitm is aware that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad must acknowledge demands by various communities but such matters must be sternly dealt with by all component parties in the Pakatan Harapan government in the context of safeguarding the special privileges of the Malays," it said.

It added that such "seditious" statements should cease to be made.

Hindraf 2.0 is led by P Uthayakumar, whose younger brother P Waythamoorthy is leading the Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM).

PHM is a strategic partner of Pakatan Harapan but Hindraf 2.0 is not officially linked to the coalition.

Waythamoorthy, in a statement earlier today, urgedhis brother and Hindraf 2.0 not to adopt a confrontational approach.

"I wish to say clearly to Uthayakumar. The war is over with the defeat of BN. Uthayakumar must drop his confrontational path and join all those who are now working hard to build a new Malaysia.

"It is time to rebuild the community in the new Malaysia that was the result of hard work of all those who supported Harapan," he said. -Mkini