Sunday, August 17, 2008

SAPP regrets demonstrations by UiTM students

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) claimed that Umno orchestrated the demonstrations by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students nationwide over the call by Selangr Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, to open the university to non-Bumiputeras.

Its education bureau chief Datuk Wong Yit Ming said this has tarnished the university's image and would affect the students' future careers.

He hoped the party leaders could be more sensitive towards the feelings of others when making any statement in future.

Wong also reiterated SAPP's stand to non-racial politics as declared in its "8-Point Declaration". more...

10 comments:

  1. Protest unnecessary as MB can't change system

    Many years ago I was asked by some expatriate friends what my views were on racism against the context of the country I was born in.

    There was a problem because though my culture, adat, birthplace, families and early childhood experiences were clearly Sabah centric; my views on human rights, socialism, democracy and all political rhetorics were moulded in the UK.
    My friends and I felt that every

    country had in some way to deal with racism, the severity of which principally depended on the number of the extreme-leaning of whatever causes there were in any one country and that the political and economic policies of a country therefore were often shaped not so much by racism going to the ballot boxes to make that difference. I was the only Malaysian in that circle of debaters and my opinion, though subjective, certainly raised many eyebrows in that room.

    I faced intense racism in the UK in the early and mid 80s from my classmates and even bag-ladies (old, homeless, smelly people roaming the streets in unwashed clothing's searching for food in public dustbins and placing them in decrepit trolley bags or plastic bags). The Western lifestyle may have many advantages but one of the underlying problems

    I could never come to terms with was their hypocrisy.
    Against the backdrop of human rights laws and anti-racism policies, they were simply less obvious in their prejudice and better at hiding their sentiments. And so, playground rhymes I used to sing with white kids still haunt me today. There was one which went "Chinese, Japanese, don't forget to wash your knees" and another one went "I went to a Chinese restaurant to buy a loaf of bread; he wrapped it up in a five pound note and this is what he said: My name is Alai Yalai, Chickelet Chickelet, Hong Kong Fui, Wallow wallow whiskers, Chinese Chopsticks, Pow Wow!"
    It made no real sense except to reinforce into children's psyche that Asians deserved to be humiliated. I was 9. At 14, a bunch of white men passed me and made the derogatory comment, "Apparently the Chinese are really good in bed." At 19, a bag lady spat out at me, "Vietnamese bitch! Go back to your own country!" on the subway. What was my response to all this?

    I remained silent and realised from a very young age you can't change attitudes.
    One thing I learnt in England was

    that the Whites couldn't seem to tell the difference between Malaysians, Chinese, Vietnamese, Koreans, Japanese, Cambodians, etc. But thanks to Shilpa Shetty, by now I imagine they know what Indians look like.

    Malaysian kids know the difference between Malays, Indians, Chinese, natives. I would imagine they can't tell the difference between the British and Germans but never in all my years in this country have I once encountered Malaysian racism against whites and blacks.
    As more white expatriates (rich or poor, educated or useless) flood our shores, we seem to simply welcome them with open arms juxtaposed against our total abhorrence of the visitors (rich or poor, legal or illegal) from our immediate neighbouring countries.

    Malaysia will continue to recognise the rights of Malays and natives as enshrined in the Constitution. The protection of such rights form the genesis of our country which made independence possible and allowed our founding fathers to sit together in one room and come to an agreement.

    The march on Friday by UiTM scholars, therefore, is very interesting.

    Non-bumiputras typically become disgruntled after many years of harmonious schooling only to find their dreams dashed by the quota system.

    The need for further education becomes not just a laborious struggle to achieve good grades but also a struggle to balance meritocracy within the confines of a quota system.

    From here, the life cycles of Malaysian political parties are rejuvenated with fresh young blood of students who either feel protective of their rights or who feel they've been denied equal opportunities.

    UN human rights laws are then cited without realising that Malaysia can't conform because our country is formed by an Agreement that guarantees those privileges.
    Without certain guarantees, 31st August 1963 and 16th September 1963would not have made history.

    Therefore, quotas are something Malaysia would probably have to deal with forever.

    Yet, despite everything, the march appalled me. As much as I believe in the freedom of expression and for students to have the right to express their political sentiments, they should know that there is no attempt to deny the bumiputras their rights. At the same time, they are surely aware that the other races contributed to the nation's economic and political development.

    We could learn from the British and be a little more subtle in our approach without uttering statements that do nothing more than upset feelings.

    Article 153 of the Constitution does not say that our educational establishments must be 100 pc bumiputra. It talks of reservations of quotas specific to Sabah and Sarawak because of the genesis of the Malaysia Agreement. It would be interesting to note, therefore, how many of those student marchers were, actually Sabahans to justify what they did under Article 153.

    Article 153(8A) states in a nutshell that if number of places in the university is less than the number of qualified applicants, then the Yang di-Pertuan Agong can legally authorise the university to reserve quotas for the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak "notwithstanding anything in this Constitution".

    There is no need, therefore, to get so uptight over the Selangor Menteri Besar's statements because he doesn't have the authority to change that system.

    Article 153(8A) also basically nullifies any arguments a non-bumiputra may have on the basis of discrimination.

    Whether we like it or not, the system is in place for a reason. It justifies the existence of our country and the Agreement upon which it was formed. The Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang, Prof Dr. P. Ramasamy, argues that meritocracy can reduce brain drain. Meritocracy, in this country will always, as a result of our history and our Constitution, have its limitations.
    For most non-bumputras, there is no way they will halt their children's educational achievements and progress by fighting the system or waiting for change.

    Knowledge being the key to survival, any child that feels disgruntled and rejected by this system will be driven away and his brain drain will surely retard our progress.

    This article was quoted from Daily Express written by a woman (17 Aug 2008)

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  2. 這就是所謂的大馬的民主吧!
    親愛的瑪拉大學生們,別忘了你們的學校經費是從誰的錢包里拿出來的,你們如此大陣仗的抗議,到底是在害怕些什么?

    這是你們族群中較有遠見及正義感者僅是要求開放10%的學額給國外及非土著學生,可是你們馬來人就如世界末日來臨般的恐懼和激動,所以大家想一想,要在我國爭取公平社會還有可能嗎?

    說真的,馬來人霸佔了瑪拉大學又有何用,最後還不是要靠特權和拐杖政策才能生存。

    之前曾有高官批抨聘請懂華文的私人公司,但現在卻允許只錄取土著的大學存在。難道他們不知道語言可以學,膚色則沒得選的道理嗎?這就是所謂大馬的民主吧!
    標籤: 瑪拉大學

    張貼者:鎗人 於 11:39 上午 0 個意見 此文章的連結

    星期四, 八月 14, 2008
    讓人想到就肚懶的瑪拉工藝大學!
    用全體納稅人的錢來建造,不過卻只讓土著深造的瑪拉工藝大學,真的讓人一想起都肚懶!相信這也僅是馬來西亞才會擁有的教育政策吧!

    此所大學是政府刻意興建用來培養土著的,所以無論在設備、師資,都是國內數一數二的,其他國立大學根本就無法與它匹比,因為它是政府用金山銀山堆砌出來的象牙寶塔。

    此外,此所大學收生也不靠績效制,因為全都錄取馬來學生而已,而且政府每年公佈的大學錄取率、科系、種族的圖表和數据,都沒有包括瑪拉大學此條漏網之魚在內。

    如果將該大學的馬來學生的數額算進去,進入國內各大學的土著人數可就超過70%了,可是政府卻不把它算進去的來蒙騙世人它是多么的公平。

    更讓人肚懶的就是,政府為了確保土著在各專業領域持續佔有一席之地,所以只要是我們唸得出來的熱門科系,瑪拉大學都不會漏掉任何一項。

    難得雪州政府想要實行仁政,建議開放10%學額給非土著的言論,結果就掀起了軒然大波,相信雪大臣的出發點是好的。識大體的友族,應該都會體諒大臣的一片苦心,然而卻被短視及極端的馬來人轟得體無完膚。

    其實,此種教育制度除了對其他種族受教育的機會不公平外,也讓它成了種族主義的溫床,這就是所謂的Malaysia Boleh吧!

    http://hoehark.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. In a desperate attempt to get the support of all muslims in Malaysia, Umno is trying to create a situation where malays and islam are being challenged.

    Oh my god! How can the non-muslims challenge you, you are the majority! But the only thing is that you Umno worries that the future government will be taken over by others, and you are willing to create chaos at the expense of other races and religion.

    This time you have proven yourselves to be racist, at least you are not now religious fanatics like Pas.

    Whom are we gonna choose???????????

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  4. What did I say? 1 second? It was faster!
    “It really doesn’t matter to me because this is the first time Malaysia has reached the (badminton singles) final.
    “We just knew that we had to support him as proud Malaysians,”
    “No Malaysian has done it before and I’m still happy to see the results,”

    Out of the blue he is a MALAYSIAN. It would be extremly nice if this would be the feeling of ALL PPL IN MALAYSIA! TO FEEL AS MALAYSIANS and forget about race and religion! Not only if someone is highlihted in a sport event!

    Do we still have a chance to become really united? I hope so for the sake of our children and grand-children and future generations! Work hard for it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kerajaan Hong Kong Rampas Wang Musa Aman?

    Monday, 18 August 2008 13:20


    Oleh: 'Deep Throat' Sabah

    Penangkapan adik angkat Ketua Menteri Sabah, Datuk Seri Musa Aman iaitu Michael Chia di Hong Kong pada jam 2.35 petang khamis (14 Ogos 2008) telah membongkar misteri di sebalik enigma.

    Michael Chia ditangkap polis Hong Kong di Lapangan Terbang Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong ketika ingin menyertai penerbangan ke Kuala Lumpur.

    Menurut sumber rapat Polis Hong Kong dan Interpol, mereka telah memantau kegiatan haram Michael Chia sejak tiga tahun lalu dan akhirnya berjaya menangkap Michael bersama bukti wang tunai Singapura bernilai RM16 juta yang diseludup keluar daripada Hong Kong di dalam beg pakaiannya.

    Setelah disoalsiasat, Michael merayu agar dibebaskan kerana wang berkenaan milik Musa Aman dan beliau hanyalah agen membawa keluar wang berkenaan ke Kuala Lumpur bagi membantu meringankan beban kewangan Barisan Nasional dalam proses penamaan calon di Permatang Pauh dan sebahagiannya untuk kegunaan pilihanraya kecil berkenaan.

    Penangkapan ini membuatkan Musa Aman berang dan bimbang beliau akan terjerat berikutan penahanan Michael Chia bersama bukti dan lebih malang lagi apabila akaunnya di beberapa bank di Hong Kong dibekukan serta merta.

    "CM (Musa) marah betul atas kebodohan Michael Chia kerana bawa wang tunai. Kenapa tidak TT (Telegraphic Transfer) saja? Saya rasa CM kita dalam bahaya," ujar Datuk Amin Khan, seorang proksi Musa Aman ketika memberitahu rakannya yang juga Datuk melalui telefon di sebuah coffe house hotel terkemuka yang sempat didengar wakil Malaysia Today di Sabah yang secara kebetulan menikmati makan malam di situ.

    Penangkapan suspek ini mengejutkan semua pihak terutama Badan Pencegah Rasuah Sabah kerana Michael Chia tidak boleh meninggalkan Negara ini tanpa mendapat izin BPR kerana pasportnya dalam simpanan BPR atas beberapa pertuduhan rasuah bersama Loh Man Heng.

    Michael yang sebelum ini ditangkap bersama rakan kongsi Musa Aman, Loh Man Heng dan Chong 'Khung Long' (Chong Dinasour) kemungkinan akan dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Tinggi Hong Kong pada hari ini bagi menghadapi pertuduhan penyeludupan wang dan pengurupan wang haram (Money Traficking dan Money Laundering).

    Penangkapan Michael ini memberi tamparan hebat kepada Ketua Pengarah BPR, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan kerana desas desus yang tersebar meluas mengatakan bahawa Kes Rasuah Loh Man Heng telah ditutup berikutan pengakuan Loh Man Heng sendiri bahawa beliau telah membayar sejumlah RM4 juta melalui pegawai kanan BPR, Mohd Jamidan Abdullah yang sebelum ini menutup kes Musa Aman dalam kegiatan pembalakan haram di Keningau.

    Sebelum ini, Pengurus Besar Operasi Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah, Mohd Daud Tampokong yang sering kelihatan bersama dengan Michael Chia di Hong Kong dan Singapura untuk menjalankan transaksi kewangan bagi pihak Musa Aman.

    Namun bak kata pepatah modern, sepandai-pandai ayam melompat, akhirnya menjadi KFC, Michael Chia terjebak walaupun sebelum ini telah berjaya melakukan traksaksi pemindahan wang dalam jumlah yang besar, namun kali ini tertangkap kerana gelojoh membawa wang tunai dengan jumlah melebihi had yang dibenarkan.

    Musa Aman begitu mempercayai Michael Chia kerana syarikat bapa Michael, Chia & Sons telah banyak membantu Musa di era beliau membina kerjaya dalam bidang pembalakan dan kontrak, terutama penyewaaan skau (tongkang) untuk menarik kayu balak Musa.

    Apabila Musa menjadi Pengarah Yayasan Sabah dan Ketua Menteri Sabah, Michael telah menjadi 'Taiko' dalam bidang perhutanan terutama di konsesi Yayasan Sabah.

    Michael turut dibantu oleh Chong 'Khung Long' atau yang digelar 'Dinosour' kerana kegiatannya dalam bidang pembalakan haram untuk membekalkan balak kepada Michael selain daripada konsesi dengan kerjasama Pengarah Perhutanan Sabah, Datuk Sam Mannan @ Sam Singh.

    Berita penangkapan Michael Chia belum diketahui umum namun tidak mengejutkan penduduk Sandakan kerana selama ini beliau menunjukkan kekayaan luar biasa dan hidup mewah dengan memiliki sekurang-kurangnya dua bungalow dan 17 kereta mewah, selain harta yang dibeli di Hong Kong dan Singapura.

    "Satu sport rim keretanya sama nilainya dengan sebuah proton wira," ujar William, seorang mekanik yang menyelenggara keretanya sejak tujuh tahun lalu.

    Dalam pada itu, hubungan antara Daud Tampokong dan Michael Chia terlalu rapat kerana mereka sering dilihat bersama di Shang Hai, Shang Zen, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapura dan Quang Zhou untuk menguruskan 'ang pau' untuk Musa Khan yang kebanyakannya dimasukkan ke dalam akaun Hajjah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki (Gundik Musa Aman) yang juga Pengurus Sumber Manusia dan Pentadbiran Yayasan Sabah.

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  6. Jr Lee: Khalid's proposal to allow 10% of non-bumiputeras to enroll in UiTM is the right move to improve the quality and standards of the university.

    This is exactly what the Singapore government has been doing over the last few years in attracting top students from China to study in schools and universities in Singapore, even to the extent of giving scholarships to Chinese nationals.

    Singapore understands that this enhances competition and brings out the best among the students, and raises the standards of its students.

    As a result of this good foresight, it is no surprise that Singapore schools and universities are the best or among he best in Asia, and are even well-recognised internationally.

    I really can't comment on the standards of Malaysian schools or universities - obviously, it is not up to any solid standards, to say the least, and that is why many Malaysians, even bumiputeras, send their children to Singapore or overseas for their education.

    The question is not whether to give 10% to the non-bumiputeras, but whether the non- bumiputeras are keen to enroll themselves in UiTM.

    These students generally enroll themselves into universities of high standing (both locally and internationally) which have an excellent track record, good reputation and fame of producing renowned leaders.

    It will be interesting to see how the non-bumiputeras would grade UiTM if it ever opens its doors to them. It would not be shocking if not many non-bumiputeras wish to enroll themselves in UiTM.

    Malaysian Bumiputera: We really cannot be bothered as to whether UiTM will make it policy to admit non-bumiputera into the university. It does not have a good graduate performance record. This only goes to show this is a paper-chase institution.

    The response showed by their students showed immaturity, absence of sound minds and discipline, and their tendency to be easily manipulated. This shows that the education system in UiTM is defective and the graduates produced are incapable of competition and sound reasoning.

    Their immature response will harm many other hardworking, capable UiTM graduates, as their reputation is now tarnished by their irrational reactions.

    In conclusion, don't even send your children to study there or they will be as defective as their undergraduates. So please, don't open UiTM to others, or they will contaminate the education system in Malaysia.

    Malaysia used to have excellent, world-class education standards in the past, but now they are so plagued with politics that they have become a nest of foolishness. Your paper qualification is not worth a sen if you cannot compete fairly.

    PK: No smart Malay parents would want to send their children to UiTM knowing that this bumi-only institution can never give the right exposure to their children. Can you imagine your children only having Malay friends and classmates?

    Maintaining the ‘bumi-only’ university status will produce sub-quality juara kampung. They still live in the cocoon of their comfort zone. No world-class and reputable university has such a silly policy on restricting their students to only one race.

    If UiTM students were smart, they would want to see more nationalities and races of students in their university. How can it become a world-class university if UiTM continues to hide in their cocoon?

    The world is becoming borderless, a place where we need to compete internationally without any assistance from the government. Our students need to be able to compete in the open market.

    I ask the UiTM vice-chancellor, why do they have one of the highest rates of unemployed graduates among all local universities? If the government does not employ UiTM graduates, the number would be even higher.

    In a multi-racial country like Malaysia, don’t we need to have a multi-racial academic institution?

    Ian Lim: The sequence of events involving the issue of UiTM has made me wonder whether the non-bumiputera business owners will quietly launch a boycott and stop hiring graduates from UiTM.

    They are clearly unfit to be in any multiracial organisation because of their narrow views.

    Needless to say, I think the potential employers will know what to do when someone from the notorious UiTM walks up and applies for a job.

    John Johnson: Enough is enough - I’ve had to endure nearly thirty years of favouritism and racism in my working area.

    I was by-passed for promotions many times - ‘overlooked,’ as they say - and the proportions of my minority group made it even more difficult.

    It has always been 80% Malays, 20% Chinese, and 10% others, i.e. Indians, Sikhs, Eurasians, etc.

    It was at a stage where merit was not taken into account, just like it can been seen today with students who have scored 8As and 7As not being allowed into universities. And here we have an elite group saying UiTM belongs to only that special group.

    These privileges should stop immediately, as it is totally unfair to all Malaysians who work hard every day to sustain our Malaysian economy. The amount of corruption and cronyism can be seen every day in the news.

    It’s time for an overhaul of this despicable system and for giving each and every Malaysian a fair chance to be successful in life. Change the people who are running the government and give Malaysia the glory it rightly deserves.

    DRN: For me it doesn’t matter at all whether UiTM opens its doors to non-bumis (this word clearly indicates that non-bumis are aliens in their own country) or not.

    I will never enroll my children in any local public universities even if offered a position, noting the culture, standard and discrimination so far seen gradually worsening since the late 1970s.

    As the statutory definition of the Malay race is unashamedly linked directly to religion, the recent protest by the students for me seems to confirm further that the uni is not willing to accept non-Muslim students (doesn’t explain why the two Muslim Chinese students were admitted).

    Anyway, many non-bumis and enlightened bumis are not prepared to stay in their own ‘well’ only – most are preparing their future generations to be globally competitive.

    So be it. Most non-bumis see this as a non-relevant issue and it further reinforces the reality and belief that the country is slowly and surely moving in an adverse direction, race/religion-relations wise.


    On UiTM students in Permatang Pauh protest

    JTB: I have no doubt at all that Arif Shah will trounce Anwar soundly in Permatang Pauh and send him to political oblivion. Look at the papers - he is so talented that he even dabbles in Chinese calligraphy.

    I am really impressed that a Barisan National candidate can even write ‘We are one big family’. I am sure the Chinese in Permatang Pauh are impressed and will cast their votes in his favour.

    On the other side of the spectrum, we have the Umno-instigated student group that says that UiTM is strictly for the bumiputeras. We have Abdullah proclaiming he is the prime minister for all Malaysians, yet he supports these students protesting the 10% UiTM non-bumiputera issue.

    Really, are you convinced that the characters in Umno - or the BN, for that matter - will work and care for all Malaysians?

    Forget about Gerakan, MIC or MCA as component parties - they do not have the gall to go against their Umno bosses.

    Seriously , if UiTM wants to keep that college strictly for the bumiputeras, I say go ahead, as the non-bumiputeras need not worry about this.

    There are many other colleges you can go to - really, why bother with UiTM and make those Umno boys angry? Arif Shah, do you really believe we are one big family?

    Maran: I am Indian and am disgusted with UiTM students for protesting on this issue. If my children have a chance to enter UiTM, I will definitely not allow them to because I don’t want my children to study with uncompetitive students.

    Furthermore, UiTM does not belong to Malays - it belongs to this nation built by all races, by the taxpayers.

    If UiTM students really want to protest, they should not apply for jobs in non-bumi companies. Most graduates from UiTM are employed by non-bumi companies.

    The vice-chancellor should advise his students to not apply for even practical training in non-bumi companies.

    I challenge the VC to do this - then the world would know that UiTM students can’t complete their studies because they can’t complete their practical training.

    Madhaterz: Are these students trying to say that UiTM belongs to the Malays and no one else? May I know when are they planing to kick the Ibans, Kadazans, Melanaus and other ethnic groups out of UiTM, since its sacred grounds solely for bangsa Melayu?

    These people are racists, and Malaysia is the only country where such racist institutions still exist. Can these students tell me whose money the government used to build the buildings they are occupying?

    And whose money the government is using to run these institutions?

    In a not-too-distant past, a few protested for equality and their rights - what happened to them? They are locked up under the draconian ISA, labelled racist, terrorists, etc.

    Now that these people at UiTM are screaming racist remarks and protesting openly, why has no action been taken? Is there a set of laws for these racists and another set for the rest of us?

    Narendran Narasiah: I cannot believe the utter immaturity and fanaticism displayed by the protesting UiTM students. I was a former lecturer in private colleges and currently run a consultant agency specialising in industrial automation and process improvement.

    Just a healthy suggestion by the MB triggered such a wave of protest - these students must really feel threatened. What I do not understand is, threatened by what?

    If you do not want non-bumis to be allowed into UiTM, just say ‘Sorry, but we are not interested’. Instead, all this childish protest just goes to show what a blind bunch you students really are.

    Not only are you allowing yourselves to not benefit from becoming competitive with other races, you are also proving to the world that you are what Malays call kera sumbang

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  7. Yang amat dikesali dalam kes tunjuk perasaan oleh pelajar UiTM ialah mengapa pelajar kita begitu mudah terpedaya dengan muslihat pihak tertentu tanpa menilai sendiri secara rasional sebelum bertindak balas!!!

    www.ketuananrakyat.blogspot.com

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  8. An issue blown out of proportion with political motives and parochial moronic minds

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  9. KUALA LUMPUR: Forty-one Malaysians will be leaving for South Korea on Aug 27 to pursue their postgraduate studies.

    They are the recipients of RM8 million worth of scholarships given by the South Korean government.

    "The South Korean government is willing to invest in such scholarships and exchange programmes to show that we highly value our relations with Malaysia," said South Korean ambassador to Malaysia Yang Bong Ryull during the presentation ceremony on Wednesday.

    The postgraduate scholarships were offered for the first time and will continue annually.

    Thirty-three scholars would be pursuing their master's, four are going for their doctorates and another four are enrolled in research programmes.

    All of them will be required to undergo a one-year course in the Korean language, except for the researchers.

    They will then apply for courses offered by prestigious universities such as Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Korea University.
    ---------------------------
    Look at this example from a neighbouring country....learn from them...Don't be like frogs in a well...morons who only know how to take but selfish to give!

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  10. Nape nak hentam UMNO agak-agak lah ayat tuuuu bro and sis, korang kalo setakat nak hentam boleh tapi tengoklah visi, misi, matlamat dan objektif UiTM ni dibuat. Banyak lahi IPTA yang dah longgarkan kemasukan semua kaum jadi jangan lah usik UiTM ni yang satu-satu yang tetap perjuangkan kouta Bumiputera. Aku tau korang jelez..... hishhhh ndak malu nanti aku gi tau ngan anak-anak, cicit-cicit korang nak bunuh parti yang banyak berjasa di negara ini.

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