I have tried a few times to comment on Po Kuan’s topic, Article 153 – privilege on scholarship, without success. It is a case of ‘so near yet so far’. Instead, I am linking her topic to my site instead. The following is supposed to be my comment in her blog:
Given the constraints of Umno’s insistence that the percentage be maintained at 80 or 90% and it looks like no compromise will be considered, and the non-Malays wanting more in terms of percentage, we do not seem to be able to get out of this stalemate.
My common sense tells me that we should not be too taken by percentages in terms of races. If Umno insists on molly coddling its own race indefinitely, then at least set a minimum standard for Malays, to be strictly observed. This is to prevent wastage of giving scholarships to those who have no inclination to study. The scholarships are there for those who meet the minimum requirements.
For the non-Malays, by all means, set a higher standard of requirements (depending on courses of study) but the government must provide for all those for made the grade. Then there will be no complaints about not getting scholarships, which seems to be the main complaint. Lack of funds? Just look into cutting wastages and preventing inflated contracts. Even study loans are welcome by some students desperate in wanting to continue but whose parents cannot afford. Tighten the rules to ensure the students return upon graduation to serve the government or repay their loans.
This is the compromise I can think of under the present regime. We can shout all we can without getting anything. If the policy makers insist on no proper competition, mediocrity will continue. For those interested, please read my earlier post Meritocracy remains a sensitive word...in this blogsite.
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