As part of the government efforts to increase the socio-economic standing of the ethnic Indians in Malaysia, whose displeasure with the marginalization of the community has come to light in recent months through a series of protests as well as the poor showing of the Barisan Nasional in the general elections in March, has approved an initiative whereby all Indian students who score 9A’s and above in the country’s SPM examinations will receive government scholarships to further their education. The move was decided at the first meeting of the Special Committee for Indian Related Affairs that was formed by the Cabinet and includes MIC leaders as well as other ministers.
from New Straits Times
Scholarships for Indian students who score 9As
KUALA LUMPUR (Monday, July 14, 2008): All Indian students who score 9As and above in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia will be given government scholarships, starting this year, to pursue their studies in local government universities and four local private institutions — Monash, Swinburne, Curtin and Nottingham universities.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the MIC had also asked the government to include the Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology.
“Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has agreed in terms of policy and we are now in the process of formalizing it.”
He said the decision was made on July 1 at the first meeting of the Special Committee for Indian Related Affairs, formed under the directive of the cabinet and chaired by Najib.
Others in the committee are MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Dr Subramaniam, MIC deputy ministers, finance and education ministers, Public Service Department director-general, representatives from ministries related to problems faced by the Indian community and multi-agency committees.
“It was a fruitful meeting and we discussed many issues related to the Indian community. It was decided at the meeting that the Human Resources Ministry will be the secretariat for the committee.”
Among other decisions were:
- All partially-aided Tamil schools to be gradually made fully-aided schools and facilities at all schools upgraded;
- University intake for Indian students in critical courses to be increased; and,
- A re-look at the appeal of Indian students who achieved about 3.0 CGPA grading but did not get university places.
Dr Subramaniam said eight per cent of PSD scholarships were given to Indians to study medicine and law. The committee was seeking more places for Indians wishing to pursue programs in dentistry, pharmacy, accountancy and architecture.
He said the committee also discussed the issue of employment of Indians in the civil service.
Dr Subramaniam said of the 16,000 Indians who applied for government jobs last year, only 1,500 were offered postings.
“It’s not true that non-Malays are not applying for civil service posts,” he said, adding that the percentage of Indians in the civil service should be increased from the five to eight per cent.
“We want Indians not only in lower-category jobs but also in higher categories. PSD has been cooperative in furnishing the MIC with information on vacancies in the civil service,” said Dr Subramaniam, who is also MIC secretary-general.
The committee was also looking at ways to uplift the economic status of the Indian community.
“We have also asked the government to provide Indian contractors the opportunity to take part in government projects from the low to higher levels.”
Efforts are also being made to get licenses for businesses for Indians.
Dr Subramaniam said MIC was also working hard to improve Indian equity in the capital market from 1.1 per cent to 1.5 per cent within the next three years.
