UMNO Youth Leader, Dr.Muhamad Akmal Saleh, has warned any parties, including politicians or academics, not to propose "shallow" ideas regarding the admission of non-Bumiputera students to Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
Akmal stated that they firmly uphold the government's stance as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, that UiTM, which is part of the special rights of Malays and Bumiputera, should not be interfered with by others. He emphasized the firm stance of the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) in maintaining UiTM for Bumiputera students conforms and aligns with Section 1A of the UiTM Act (Act 173), which was established based on the provisions of Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
“Do not raise this issue again because UiTM will remain Bumiputera-owned without compromise, now and forever.”
UMNO Youth will defend this as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. If there are proposals to train specialist doctors at UiTM, they must be among Bumiputera, and non-Bumiputera can be offered at other universities.
"Do not disturb UiTM. This is a strong warning from UMNO Youth to any parties attempting to cause trouble with such proposals. We will ensure UiTM remains Bumiputera-owned forever," he said after officiating the UiTM International Volunteer Program at the State Legislative Assembly Coordination and Development Committee Complex (JAPERUN) in Merlimau today. Also present was UiTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr. Mohd Sazili Shahibi.
Lately, a former visiting fellow at the University of Melbourne, Dr. Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri, suggested that the UiTM Act 1976, which only allows Bumiputera students, should be reviewed according to current needs. The former academic suggested that UiTM should open its doors to non-Bumiputera students with conditions, specifically for postgraduate courses.
Following this, the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, asserted that there have been no discussions at the ministry or Cabinet-level regarding the proposal to open the university to non-Bumiputera students.
Zambry was reported saying that the issue was deliberately made a polemic and played by certain parties attempting to disrupt the policies and original objectives of UiTM, causing confusion and disputes among various parties.
Meanwhile, Dr. Muhamad Akmal, who is also the State Executive Council Member for Rural Development, Agriculture, and Food Security, and the State Assemblyman for Merlimau, welcomed UiTM's efforts in organizing social service programs that are seen to strengthen the relationship between the community and the university students.
"UiTM is a higher education institution for rural people, but its status is now world-class. We are proud of UiTM's achievements today and hope such outreach efforts will be intensified to ensure the university remains relevant, especially among Malays and Bumiputera in this country," he said.
By: Kpost
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