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'UiTM remains for Malays, Bumiputera'

SHAH ALAM: Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) will remain as a higher learning institution for Malays and Bumiputera, stressed its vice-chancellor Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Hassan Said.

He said the policies and initial goal of UiTM remain relevant today, in fact it has proven to be successful in balancing the positions of Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera in Malaysia.

"UiTM has succesfully impacted the social standing and unity of 'bangsa Malaysia'. UiTM has also contributed to the (social) equity of uniting the nation.

"There is no need to move towards that (opening UiTM to non-Bumiputera). This policy (UiTM for Malays, Bumiputera) must be maintained because there are still many from the rural areas and the underprivileged who still need UiTM," he said at a press conference after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between UiTM and the Armed Forces Fund Board's Foundation (YLTAT) at the Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin building in UiTM, here, today.

Also present were Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, LTAT chief executive officer Nik Amlizan Mohamed and chairman of UiTM's board of directors Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir.

Dr Hassan's remarks on UiTM to remain for Malays came following a suggestion by the university's former pro-chancellor Tan Sri Dr Arshad Ayub that UiTM should open its doors to non-Bumiputera for its post-graduate programmes in a bid to ensure competitive balance among the various races in Malaysia.

Arshad, 90, said Malaysia had reached a stage in its history when it was now appropriate for UiTM to accept students of all races.

“If you ask me whether non-Malays should be able to go to UiTM, my own view is that at the master’s degree level, the graduates should be able to compete with other races,” Arshad was quoted as saying by newsportal Free Malaysia Today yesterday.

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