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Press
Statement
by Hon. Dr. Yee Moh Chai, M.P. for Tanjung Aru (P.156)
in Kota Kinabalu
on 10th August 1998
Sabah
Student Population at the University Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
I have recently received a written reply for my oral question to the
Minister of Education, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Mohd. Najib bin Tun
Hj. Abdul Razak whereby I have requested the Minister of Education
to state:
"(a)
the total number of Sabahan and its percentage total of the whole
student population at the University of Sabah today; and
(b)
whether there is any preference accorded to all the Sabah students
who apply to gain entry into the University of Sabah."
In
reply to my said questions, the Minister of Education has stated,
in essence, (a) the number of Sabahans present at the UMS is 265
out of a total of 2680 students and (b) no preference has been accorded
to the Sabahan students for the purpose of UMS entrance.
Due
to the unacceptable situation, I have today sent a letter to the
Minister of Education, expressing my concern, the detail of which
is as follows:
"With
due respect, I am very sad and disappointed with the said answer
given by YB Minister namely that the population of Sabahan students
makes up to less than 10 % only of the total student population
of the University Malaysia Sabah at present.
It
is indeed absurd that we should have a so-called University Malaysia
Sabah locally in Sabah and yet less than 10% only of its student
populations are actually from Sabah itself.
Since
the State of Sabah has always been left very much behind in terms
of education facility and infrastructure, it is very tragic to note
that so many of our local Sabahan could not be given an opportunity
to pursue their tertiary education at their very own local university.
After
all, what is the purpose of having a local Sabah University if only
less than 10% of its student populations are from the local Sabahans
? I believe the local Sabahans should be given preference to enjoy
the facility of our own local university.
Under
the circumstances, I am appealing to YB Minister to institute all
measures to ensure that the proportion of Sabahans in the University
Malaysia Sabah will be increased from its present under 10% figure."
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