Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) is committed to upholding the UiTM Act 1976 (Act 173) and Article 153 of the Federal Constitution which only allows the enrolment of bumiputera students.
However, UiTM will accept whatever the government decides with the blessing of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong if the matter arises due to national need, its vice-chancellor Shahrin Sahib said.
“We are just a body of implementation. All decisions will be issued by the government and Higher Education Ministry with the permission of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the foundation of the Federal Constitution.
"We are ready to accept any decision as long as it does not change Article 153 where UiTM is only open to bumiputera students,” he said at a press conference at the university’s Aidilfitri celebration in Shah Alam today.
Shahrin was asked to comment on the proposal to allow non-bumiputera to enter specialised advanced degree training programmes, or parallel pathways, at UiTM.
UiTM is the only university that offers a parallel pathway programme in collaboration with the National Heart Institute (IJN) in the cardiothoracic field, which comprises surgery and care for heart and lung diseases.
It is also the largest public university in the country.
On April 25, Codeblue reported Raja Amin Raja Mokhtar, who is on the board of studies of the UiTM-IJN cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate programme, as saying that the varsity is agreeable to open up parallel pathway training to non-bumiputera.
He said the decision was made after speaking to UiTM’s vice-chancellor and the chairperson of the UiTM board, and they agreed to the idea for a limited period.
But Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said there had been no discussion on the matter and several pertinent issues need to be scrutinised before it can be considered.
Article 153
UiTM board of directors chairperson Raduan Che Rose, who was also present at the Hari Raya event, said that the university has no issues if cardiothoracic training is given to non-bumiputera students while waiting for Universiti Malaya to offer the programme.
“Only that the main problem is this matter will oppose Article 153, so that must be resolved before moving on to other problems,” he said.
Article 153 of the Federal Constitution states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is responsible for safeguarding the “special position” of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, including quotas for education, scholarships, public service positions, and licences and permits for business.
Raduan added that UiTM will not do anything until the Higher Education Ministry decides.
‘Calm down’
Raduan also urged UiTM students to calm down and understand the context of the issue.
"There are student leaders at this university who are worried that this issue is so big that it will cause UiTM to be opened to non-bumiputera.
“But that is not true, because first of all, if this programme is allowed to be opened to non-Malays, it will only be a one-off.
"Secondly, this programme only involves a small number of non-Malays who are specifically involved in cardiothoracic specialist training," he explained.
However, Raduan admitted there is general concern that this issue will open the door to the agenda or efforts to allow non-bumiputera into UiTM. - Mkini
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