From The NST Update,

Umno Youth wants Malay students' enrolment statistics Ahmad Fairuz Othman KUBANG PASU, May 7: Umno Youth wants the Higher Education Ministry to provide data on the enrolment of Malay students in critical courses at universities. The movement, through its education bureau, plans to get the exact number of Malays in courses such as medicine, law, engineering and pharmaceutical studies. Umno Youth vice-chief Khairy Jamaluddin suggested that the ministry brief the movement’s education bureau to give a clearer picture of Malay enrolment in public universities. "This matter has to be proven with statistics. If the data shows that the Malays are lagging behind, then we would suggest for the system to be reviewed," he said after officiating the Kubang Pasu Umno Youth delegates meeting today.

UMNO Youth represents a crop of new politicians which are adamant at regressing rather than spurring the young generation of Malays to strive hard for successes based on their ability. Gaining success based on priviledge and background is like building a castle on shifting sand. Such strategies will only backfire in the long run and will relegate the entire race to obscurity in the coming future.

Medicine is a field that should not compromise on standards. It not only endangers the future of healthcare in our country but this gimmick will only become a laughing stock to many. It reflects poorly on Malaysians and in particular the Malay race.

Reviewing meritocracy when it never existed is indeed ironic. In addition, any further pampering will only give birth to a race which is vacuous. In an era of globalisation, competitiveness is the key to greater heights. There are no shortcuts with the alternative being a generation in oblivion.

I only hope that a young politician in not gambling on the future of a race, just to gain short-term political mileage.