KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — The UiTM Alumni Association (PAUiTM) has objected to one of the demands made by Hindraf 2.0 to allow non-Bumiputera citizens admission into the public university.
“PAUiTM, which represents over 700,000 alumni of the university from across the country as one voice object any attempt to allow admission of all races into UiTM.
“This is based on the premise that UiTM was made as an educational institution for the Malays and Bumiputera, and to preserve their special rights under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution,” the association said through a statement last night.
“Based on this alone, any attempt to challenge these special rights goes against the Federal Constitution,” read the statement.
This follows Hindraf 2.0’s submission of 25 demands to the Institutional Reforms Committee today, aiming to improve the lives of the bottom 75 per cent (B75) of the Indian community.
Among the issues raised and requested included land schemes along the lines of Felda and Felcra, more education opportunities as well as business licences and permits specifically for the B75 Indian community.
“PAUiTM is worried the statement by Hindraf to seemingly 'add fire to the flame' might trigger the rage of the Malay and Bumiputera community,” they said.
The association said while it understood the responsibility of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to hear people’s requests, it suggests that steps be taken to preserve Bumiputera rights by the Pakatan Harapan government.
“We suggest that through the Education Ministry, steps be taken to enforce and strengthen the institution.
“We also suggest the university is put under the purview of the Council of Malay Rulers to ensure the position is not threatened in the future,” said the statement.
