From: ustai@memstvx1.memst.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Re: Malaysia's racial policies
Date: 11 Nov 92 23:53:50 -0600
Organization: Memphis State University

In article <1992Nov11.220536.14339@ccu1.aukuni.ac.nz>, projs8@ccu1.aukuni.ac.nz (TSE THAM) writes:
> eoahmad@ntuix.ntu.ac.sg (Othman Ahmad) writes:
> 
> I take exception to the above statement. I do not have prove that the non-
> bumis do not get scholarships but on the other hand have not heard of any
> that have (which would probably be a small minority). But, I know for a fact

	I will have to point out that there are Malays (bumis) who are
supporting themselves overseas.  I have a friend who's doing a master's program
without any kind of financial aid.  She told me about how in the first semester
the $$$ matter got so bad that she couldn't even afford food.  Her roommate who
works in a restaurant used to bring food back for her.  Note that this does not
mean I support the current policy tho.

> As for your argument that more non-bumis overseas show that they can afford it,
> I must again beg to differ. Most asian cultures place great emphasis on
> education and therefore parents make great sacrifices to give their offspring
> every opportunity they can get. If help is not forthcoming from the government,
> then the only option left would be overseas study on a "Father and Mother
> Scholarship" (a term used by the YB Menteri Pendidikan when he visited NZ
> Universities recently).

	This is very very true.  However, there are also "self supporting"
students too.  There's a few M'sians here who work here to pay for their
education.  Imagine taking 17-18 hours each semester, and working 25-30 hours a
week.  And this friend of mine's in Civil Engineering, not a easy (usually)
program.  I am sure he could have done much better if he got some kind of a
scholarship.  However, I think he would have trouble getting any kind of
scholarship since he is a "non-traditional" student (whatever that means) since
he worked with his diploma in CE, and then finally decided to come to US to get
a degree (30 years old).
> 
> which I find shocking. I detest divisions based on racial grounds and the
> Malaysian government, which is such a fervent opponent of apartheid in South 
> Africa would do well to heed its own words in this respect. Would not it be 
> better, as Othman suggests, to base it on need and merit? In New Zealand, I 

	They can provide a justification for it.  Nothing is going to change if
you keep bashing the govt and the malays.  The thing is to let them realise
that the other races do contribute positively to the country, and that the
malays do the same thing too.  Then show them that a policy based on need is
better than a policy based on melanin.  Do realise that the scholarship program
is just a portion of the whole NEP, and we should be looking at the big
picture.  The best thing the govt can do now is to promise a dateline to the
switch over to need based policy instead of any other kinds.
	I also hope someone can post the definitive defination for the "special
rights" as I don't know exactly what are promised by it.  Does it specifically
spell out "financial aid" or does it have other applications too?  Ie, would it
go against the Constitution if the skin based policy for aid is removed.
	Ciao.

-Tai
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean