20 Vice Chancellors, Public University Rectors Support UiTM
SHAH ALAM:The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Rectors of Public Universities (JKNCR UA), consisting of 20 Vice Chancellors and Rectors of Malaysian public universities, supports the stance of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to adhere to the UiTM Act 1976 (Act 173) and Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
In this regard, JKNCR UA condemns the actions of those who deliberately raise the issue of non-Bumiputera student admissions to UiTM, labeling the higher education institution as an ‘apartheid academy.’
The Chairman, Professor Datuk Dr. Ekhwan Toriman, stated that such comments clearly demonstrate the ignorance of those concerned regarding Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which outlines the position and rights of Bumiputera in Malaysia.
“This allegation also reflects the narrow-mindedness and bias of the writers, who indirectly refer to the term Bumiputera only as the Malay ethnic group.
“In fact, the Bumiputera in this country includes all indigenous peoples of Malaysia, including ‘the Malays and all natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak’ (Federal Constitution, Article 153: 163),” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Ekhwan added that just as the laws of the country are never proclaimed as jokes, the Federal Constitution is also not crafted to be a subject of dispute.
Therefore, the entire JKNCR UA team supports the statement of the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, who urges all parties not to make any racist statements that could disrupt the policies and original objectives of UiTM.
“We also urge writers out there to be more courteous and polite in delivering news, for the sake of mutual peace.
“We can accept constructive criticism and views, but they must be based on facts. Freedom of speech should not be misused to the extent of neglecting the manners and customs we have upheld. The knowledge shared should bring benefits and not disrupt the harmony of society and the country,” he said.
