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In recent news, University Technology Mara (UiTM) students opposed a proposal to allow non-Bumiputera doctors into one of the university’s postgraduate courses.
It all started when Professor Raja Amin Raja Mokhtar, senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at UiTM’s Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, told medical news site CodeBlue that UiTM was considering opening the cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate programme to non-bumi doctors.
Prof Raja Amin clarified that it was an urgent and temporary measure until the opening of a similar programme at Universiti Malaya (UM).
“It’s a one-time thing because this is a problem in the country. We need these doctors, we need these cardiothoracic surgeons. Then, once UM is ready, we close the door,” said the professor.
According to Prof Raja Amin, Malaysia only has one cardiothoracic surgeon per 1,000,000 patients in the public health service.
Screenshot from X.
The idea was supported by Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz. “We are facing an acute shortage in specialists,” she said in a separate statement.
Currently, UiTM offers courses for international students who comprise 1% of the total student body in UiTM.
“If UiTM can open its doors to international students, we don’t see why it can’t open up to all fellow Malaysians on a needs basis,” added Dr Azizan.
Proposal raised questions about University’s original purpose
The recent news has brought UiTM’s original purpose into sharp focus for UiTM students. According to UiTM Act 1976 (a.k.a. Akta 173), the reason UiTM was built was to ensure that lower-income Bumiputera students had access to higher education.
When asked if the proposal would go against the Constitution, Prof Raja Amin said, “You don’t have to go and change Akta 173. Actually, it has to be with permission from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Majlis Raja-Raja.”
UiTM’s current chancellor is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is Malaysia’s current King, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. It is the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, which is enshrined in Article 153 of Malaysia’s Constitution.
UiTM students protested by wearing black T-shirts on campus.
Before any further discussion was reached, the proposal was met with strong opposition from UiTM’s Student Representative Council (MPP).
UiTM students were also urged to show their support by wearing black clothes to their classes from May 14 to May 16. On social media, the hashtag #MahasiswaUiTMBantah (translation: UiTM Undergraduates Oppose) was used to promote the campaign.
Many students wore black to their classes, and on May 17th, the campaign was deemed a success by the student council, who said in a media statement, “We have reached our target and that is to raise awareness among students, society and also the relevant ministries, so the campaign will come to an end.”
Picture by Yusof Mat Isa.
Ministry of Higher Education denies any plans to open UiTM to non-Bumis
In response to the development, Ministry of Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir clarified in a statement that there were no plans to include non-Bumiputera students to enroll into Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM).
“The ministry is steadfast in upholding Article 1A of Act 173 — UiTM was formed in accordance with Article 153 of the Federal Constitution,” he said, adding that “the issue had been played up by certain quarters.”
Netizens appeared to be divided over the student body’s actions, with some in agreement while others raised questions and criticism.
Screenshot from Instagram.
“214 ahli MPP UiTM percaya bahawa mempertahankan Perkara 153 dilihat lebih penting dari melatih doktor pakar untuk menyelamatkan nyawa. There you go,” opined one IG user.
(Translation: “It seems 214 MPP members believe that upholding Article 153 is more important than training specialist doctors to save lives.”)
In response to the MPP campaign, another campaign hashtag has surfaced on social media, called #AlumniUiTMSokong, which means “UiTM Undergraduates Support”.
Far from being in unanimous agreement, UiTM students appear to be divided over whether to allow non-Bumi doctors in UiTM’s cardiothoracic postgraduate programme.
IRL interviewed a former UiTM student to share her thoughts.
“I think this issue has always been politicised,” shared former UiTM student Shahirah Hamid.
“Historically, it’s how UiTM was set up after Independence. The intention was commendable as it was to help Malays and Bumiputeras to obtain affordable and quality education. While the initial goal of affirmative action policies was commendable, it’s crucial to re-evaluate their effectiveness in today’s Malaysia.”
In response to the question of whether UiTM should start including non-Bumis as their students, she opined:
“Malaysia’s government always expresses concern about brain drain or how we are losing talents as they seek better opportunities abroad. Playing on this racial sentiment is not helping anyone. Ultimately, I believe the focus should be on creating a more equitable education system that benefits all Malaysians.”
As for her opinion on the university’s current reputation, she had this to say:
“I think there’s still a certain stigma or a general sentiment about all UiTM graduates that they are “so Melayu”. It’s really based on each individual’s preference to step out of that negative connotation. Just because of how a certain institution was established, you shouldn’t allow that to define who you are.”
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Also read: Is the Practice Of Private Universities Keeping Int’l Students Passports Against The Law?
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