Meritocracy With Affirmative Action


 
From Kua Kia Soong
It is heartening to hear that Sarawak has decided to remove race-based quotas for university entrance and to bring back meritocracy as the basis for entry into tertiary educational institutions.
This is indeed a game changer when we continue to witness the abuse of the so-called “quota system” in place ever since Article 153 was amended in 1971.
However, before we go overboard with total meritocracy, let us not forget that affirmative action was intended for a noble purpose and is based on some critically important principles.
1. Aiding the less privileged marginalised groups in our society.
The Orang Asal – Iban, Bidayuh, Kenyah, Kayan, Kelabit, Penan and others – are the poorest and most exploited indigenous people in Sarawak and they should receive adequate affirmative action.
In contrast, affirmative action in Peninsular Malaysia is driven by the politically dominant and majority Malay elite and is directed at the Malay community, as the beneficiary group, regardless of wealth and position.
Clearly, affirmative action cannot be justified across the board for communities that are thoroughly class differentiated, such as the Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia.
The Orang Asli are a community that has not undergone class differentiation on a scale similar to the other ethnic communities in Malaysia but they enjoy no such affirmative action privilege.
2: Any preferential treatment for any group should be followed by specific goals, quotas and sunset clauses.
In contrast, the goals of the “Never Ending Policy” – the NEP, remain obscure. Though it was supposedly designed to end in 1990, the NEP continues its populist run in Malaysia, periodically renewed under some other Orwellian terminology.
The “Bumiputera policy” is interpreted as “special rights of the Malays” to be defended ad nauseum against any challenge to this privilege.
Furthermore, the definition of the main target group in Malaysia, namely, “the Malays” is imprecise and allows confusion when any Muslim who is not ethnically Malay can claim to be a beneficiary.
Conclusion: Our experience at New Era College
Allow me to illustrate the above with our experience at New Era College when I was principal from 2000 to 2008.
Since our tertiary institution was set up by the Chinese community mainly but not solely for the graduates from the Chinese independent secondary schools whose Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) is not recognised by the government, naturally the enrolment was mostly Chinese.
There was never a doubt that the educational standards at the college would be based on meritocracy.
Nevertheless, we implemented affirmative action practices in the campus because we wanted to attract non-Chinese students to enrol to ensure a more ethnically mixed campus.
Thus, we had special scholarships and loans for non-Chinese student applicants. We never compromised on educational standards, but we did ensure that some students needed special assistance and ample opportunities for resits to attain their required academic standards and credits.
Thus, if we are serious about eradicating poverty in Sarawak, Sabah, as well as in the peninsula, affirmative action must be considered for the Orang Asal and other marginalised communities while maintaining meritocracy as the rule in all educational institutions.
Furthermore, students from marginalised communities whose learning styles may vary, must be given special assistance to acclimatise to a campus culture.
By doing so, Malaysia can become a beacon of inclusive educational attainment and thus leave no child behind because of their disadvantaged start in life. - FMT
Kua Kia Soong is an academic and former MP.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2024/11/meritocracy-with-affirmative-action.html

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
Inaugural Digital Leadership Excellence Programme By Mcmc And Huawei Concludes With Industry Visit To Shenzhen

Inaugural Digital Leadership Excellence Programme By Mcmc And Huawei Concludes With Industry Visit To Shenzhen

papar berkaitan - pada 1/11/2024 - jumlah : 333 hits
SHENZHEN CHINA 1 st NOVEMBER 2024 The Digital Leadership Excellence Programme Navigating the Tech Frontier saw the culmination of its programme as the first batch of 47 participants gained first hand insights into the operations of leading ...
Why Importing Cars From Germany Can Save You Up To 30 With Carbuzz24

Why Importing Cars From Germany Can Save You Up To 30 With Carbuzz24

papar berkaitan - pada 1/11/2024 - jumlah : 122 hits
For years automobile enthusiasts and professionals have been opting to buy vehicles from Germany German cars offer an experience of driving that is unmatched They are known for superior engineering outstanding performance and the latest des...
A Lovely Night With Udit Narayan

A Lovely Night With Udit Narayan

papar berkaitan - pada 31/10/2024 - jumlah : 93 hits
Thank you to those who bought the early bird tickets But grab the tickets now and dont miss a chance to UDIT NARAYAN s concert in PENANG A night full of love and melodies to be enjoyed to your heart s content A LOVELY NIGHT WITH UDIT NARAYA...
Keganasan Tanpa Henti With Impunity Di Gaza Terus Meruncing Anwar

Keganasan Tanpa Henti With Impunity Di Gaza Terus Meruncing Anwar

papar berkaitan - pada 4/11/2024 - jumlah : 91 hits
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menegaskan tentang situasi di Gaza adalah kezaliman dan keganasan tanpa henti yang semakin meruncing Beliau memilih untuk memberi penjelasan ringkas dan pendirian Malaysia yang juga akan dibentangkan untuk pertimban...
Theboardroomaccentwalls Transforming Spaces One Wall At A Time With Stunning Geometric Designs

Theboardroomaccentwalls Transforming Spaces One Wall At A Time With Stunning Geometric Designs

papar berkaitan - pada 5/11/2024 - jumlah : 85 hits
Transforming spaces one wall at a time This geometric design featuring Sherwin Williams Iron Ore is elevated by stunning pops of gold that bring a perfect balance of boldness and elegance The contrast between the deep rich Iron Ore and the ...
Ex Suhakam Officer Charged With Making 23 False Claims

Ex Suhakam Officer Charged With Making 23 False Claims

papar berkaitan - pada 7/11/2024 - jumlah : 75 hits
The Kota Kinabalu sessions court fixed Nov 27 for case management PETALING JAYA A former Human Rights Commission of Malaysia officer claimed trial at a sessions court in Kota Kinabalu to 23 counts of submitting false claims today Heflin Din...
Curtailing Religious Scholars At Odds With Intellectual Freedom Islam Promotes

Curtailing Religious Scholars At Odds With Intellectual Freedom Islam Promotes

papar berkaitan - pada 6/11/2024 - jumlah : 99 hits
From Dr Ahmad Farouk MusaWe read the story of the arrest of Ustaz Abdullah Yasin by the Selangor Islamic religious department three days ago with much consternation It brings back to memory the arrest of Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin on N...
The History Of Casinos The Gambling Den With A Colorful Pas

The History Of Casinos The Gambling Den With A Colorful Pas

papar berkaitan - pada 5/11/2024 - jumlah : 106 hits
The History Of Casinos The Gambling Den With A Colorful Past Las Las Vegas History The Mafia Casinos Content This was frequently used inside religious ceremonies or even to decide issues of governance The mobs helped bring big stars into th...
24 Hours In Mumbai With An Airline Pilot

24 Hours In Mumbai With An Airline Pilot

papar berkaitan - pada 30/10/2024 - jumlah : 96 hits
By Mark Vanhoenacker from NYT Travel https ift tt E52mXuY
Pembukaan Huawei Experience Stores Di Sunway Pyramid Dan 1 Utama

National Debt Now Stands At Rm1 24 Trillion Says Pm

Singgah Sarapan Pagi Di Kedai Kopi Chubani Alor Setar Memang Puashati

Discover The Best White Gold Earrings In Malaysia At Wah Chan

Drama Sebelum Titik Noktah Lakonan Aiman Hakim Puteri Balqis

Hal Yang Membantu Agar Mudah Melaksanakan Shalat Malam

Strategies In Securing Startup Funding

Report Apex Court Judge Hasnah Set To Be Chief Judge Of Malaya


echo '';
Biodata Terkini Fairuz Selamat Q Face Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11 Penyanyi Lagu Izinkanlah

Biodata Terkini Arrora Salwa Salwa Razak Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11 Penyanyi Lagu Ahmad

Biodata Terkini Penyanyi Liza Aziz Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11 Adik Beradik Kepada Azlina Aziz

Senarai Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11 Tonton Konsert Minggu 1 Pada 24 November Live Di Astro Ria Sooka Online

Resepi Sos Hijau Vietnam Roll Paling Lemak dan Berkrim


Mengapa Serangan Gout Berulang

Last Minute Tukar Plan Naik Flight Balik Malaysia Dari Hatyai

Lima Telefon Pintar Terbaik Dari Infinix Malaysia Pada 2024

Interest Bearing Bank Accounts

Leadership Characteristics The Blueprint For Success

From Concept To Desk The Creative Process Behind Anichan S Eye Catching Mousepads