PURE BAD-HEARTEDNESS? MASZLEE STIRS UP ANOTHER STORM – WHY REFUSE TO BUDGE ON MATRICULATION, A SUBSTANDARD QUALIFIER, AND YET REFUSE TO RECOGNIZE UEC

I would like to respond to Education Minister, Maszlee Malik’s recent statement about the matriculation quota for Bumiputra.

It is world apart to compare a race-based quota to the employment market and blaming employers for setting the requirement of having Mandarin as a bonus.

When we look for candidates to handle the China market, we need Mandarin. Similarly, we need people who are conversant in Mandarin to handle the local Chinese market. If I can find a Malay or an Indian who speaks fluent Mandarin, she would be my first preference!

Segamat MP Edmund Santhara in his article recently had suggested that the government increases the number of vacancies for Matriculation by buying into places in private institutions of higher learning.

This is so that it can solve the grouses from the non-Bumiputra students. Instead, we see Maszlee trying to show his chauvinism by maintaining the 90:10 quota.

I have no problem with more Bumiputra being allowed to take up Matriculation. In fact, I think the education ministry should abolish one system or the other.

Why are there now two entry requirements set for entrance into public universities, when it cannot even accept the Unified Examination Certificate? The same arguments should be used against the idea of accepting Matriculations as an entry requirement for public universities.

Does this not speak volume about the racist attitude that we all speak so much against in Old Malaysia? I suggest that the Government should streamline the entry requirements to just one entry examination.

Otherwise, when you increase the number of matriculation students, you are also depriving the chances of students doing their STPM from entering public universities.

You are also creating a non-competitive environment that will ensure the success of our educational institutions. Those students who are accepted into public universities based on their STPM results will perform better, while students with matriculation qualifications will again be lagging behind.

WRITER: STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008. After May 9, 2018, he is now involved in contributing ideas towards rebuilding of the nation.