Meritocracy system not helping Indian students: Najib

SERDANG: The use of the meritocracy system for entry into institutions of higher learning does not help Indian students gain entry into local universities, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
He said the policy, which was introduced by former premiere Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, hinders access to better job opportunities for the Indian community.
“If we didn’t do something, the probable participation among Indian students in higher learning institutions would only be at 3% to 4%, and not 7% as it stands now,” he said while officiating at the Indian Progressive Front general assembly at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang, yesterday.
Najib said the government has made serious efforts to ensure a proportionate Indian enrollment in institutions of higher education, adding that this includes the additional 1,500 allocation for Indian students under the matriculation programme.
“I am fully aware that the participation of Indian communities at higher learning institutions are still low. That is why I have recently given instructions to allocate 700 (additional) spots for Indian students.
“The Indians will continue to be victimised if we continue to fully practice this meritocracy system.”
Mahathir had replaced the racial quota system for public university with a meritocracy system in 2002. The quota system had previously reserved 55% of university places for Malays and bumiputra students.