SHAH ALAM: Some 50 Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Alumni members representing seven associations today staged a protest against an alleged demand by Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf 2.0) to open the varsity to all races.
UiTM Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) president Muhamad Akmal Dahalan said no party should touch on matters concerning Article 153 of the Constitution which ensures special rights of the Malays and Bumiputeras.
He said UiTM, as a specialised higher education institute for the Malays and Bumiputeras, was a manifestation of Article 153 that should not be disturbed.
“The special rights of Malays and Bumiputeras in the education field is not a matter that should be open for debate or negotiation,” he said after lodging a report over the issue at the Shah Alam district police station in Seksyen 9 here.
Akmal added that the varsity should not open its doors to other races to ensure education, economic and social balance in the country.
Instead, he said more educational opportunities should be given to the Malays and Bumiputeras to achieve economic stability.
“For example, the Pusat Perakaunan Profesional in UiTM will continue to increase the number of Malay and Bumiputera professional accountants from 8 per cent to 25 per cent by 2020.
“Hence, the proposal to open admission for all races is a step backward in achieving balance and stability in terms of education, economy and social. This should be rejected.
“Besides, matters like this should be brought to the Parliament for further discussion. This is a sensitive matter that could lead to chaos and disrupt peace in the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Alumni UiTM Malaysia secretary-general Shukri Ishak said the association, which represents some 700,000 UiTM alumni nationwide, also strongly opposed the proposal.
“We urge all parties to not bring up this issue as it will cause anxiety among Malays and Bumiputeras. And if the situation is not put to rest soon, it will cause chaos.
“We do not want this, hence we have lodge a report so that the police can take action the irresponsible parties to prevent unrest or unwanted situations in the country,” he said.
It was reported that Hindraf chief P Uthayakumar demanded that UiTM which was created specifically for Bumiputeras and Malays to be opened to all races, especially for Indians from the B75 group.
This was immediately met with criticisms and protests from UiTM alumni which opposed the demand.
However, Hindraf chairman P Waytha Moorthy issues a statement today denying that the movement had made any such demand.
He also made it clear that Uthayakumar was not authorised to speak on behalf of Hindraf and that there was no such movement as Hindraf 2.0.