Miba: Najib's 'nambikei' not reflected in student intake

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's pledge to the Indian community is not reflected in the student intake for public universities, said the Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba).

In view of this, Miba president P Sivakumar (left) urged MIC and Hindraf to make a stand on the matter.

He said both had promised the Indians, especially the poor, that their future would be bright if they voted for BN and that Najib was sincere with regard to his "nambikei" (trust) pledge.

Sivakumar pointed out that Hindraf also claimed that Najib had endorsed education upliftment for the Indians with additional places for students.

"But what transpired under Najib's 'nambikei'? Last year, the Indian intake was 2.5 percent or so and this time it is 4 percent.

"In the 1970s, Indians got 10 percent despite the existence of only three universities but now with 27 universities, we only get 4 percent," he said.

'Reinstate quota system'
The Miba president urged the government to reinstate the quota system according to race and the Indians should be allocated 8 percent.

"A quota system is the only choice left to seek fair play in the allocation of places in public universities," he added.

Sivakumar said pertinent issues that need to be addressed were being swept under the carpet while frivolous issues were given prominence.

"Securing public holidays for Thaipusam and entertainment handouts are seen as major achievements by these so-called leaders who represent the community.

"Whereas issues concerning education, government jobs, business opportunities, permits and others are seen as secondary and receive lukewarm response from these leaders," he added.

Recently, MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong also complained about the poor intake of Chinese students in public universities.

He had said that although the federal government had replaced the ethnic quota system with the merit system for university intake in 2002, the poor intake of Chinese students showed that it was actually "more quota than quota".

According to Wee, the intake of Chinese students for eight major courses in public universities had been declining in recent years.

"From 26.2 percent in 2011, it dropped to 25.3 percent in 2012 and 20.7 percent this year," he added.