SHAH ALAM, Aug 13 — UiTM should not only focus on maintaining the admission quota system, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said today, "it must also focus on improving the university's quality and facilities”.Yesterday, thousands of UiTM students marched to the menteri besar's office in Shah Alam to hand over a memorandum protesting Khalid's suggestion of a 10% quota for non-Bumiputra students in the university.
"The remark was made in the context of improving the quality of higher education in the era of globalisation and to widen the employment opportunities for the Malays and Bumiputeras," he said after chairing the weekly state exco meeting.
Khalid added that the state government will continue to uphold the special position of the Malays and Federal Constitution.
He regretted that his remark on implementing a 10% quota for foreign and non-Bumiputera students in the university was taken out of context and had been turned into a racial issue.
"The state government would like to clarify that the statement is not the Pakatan Rakyat or PKR government's policy," he said adding that it was made in response to a question from the media on allowing non-Bumiputeras to be admitted to UiTM.
Abdul Khalid urged all parties not to prolong the issue. "The state government hopes that students and academics can assist the state government in improving the quality of higher education in Selangor," he added.
When asked whether he would apologise for his remark, Abdul Khalid said it was not necessary."There is no need to apologise, I just want to explain an issue that has been politicised. I will hold discussions with universities in Selangor," he added.
He said that universities must practise openness in admission process and allow the students to take part in discussions on current affairs.
The meeting today also approved increasing the monthly allowance of municipal and city council members from RM500 to RM750 effective Sept 1. The monthly allowance for district council members will be increased from RM300 to RM500.
State exco member Ronnie Liu said the last increase was in 1992.
-TMI
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