Apartheid is a strong word known as associating with a system of racial discrimination and segregation that was unique to South Africa and was imposed by the white Europeans settled in South Africa. This system divided the people and labelled them as whites and non-whites on the basis of their skin color. This is among the available open-source meanings of apartheid.
Associating UiTM as the practice apartheid system is misleading. UiTM, with around 34 campuses, 4 college studies, 14 faculties, and 9 academic centers all over Malaysia, provides a social economy supporting system to the surroundings of the UiTM establishment. Economic opportunities for multi-racial society clearly are benefiting by its establishment.
But that is not the main contention of this article: to propagate the benefits of UiTM establishment to its surrounding of multi-racial social, social and economic structure. The main drive is to reinstate that’s UiTM philosophy to maintain the enrollment for only Malays and natives of any of the states of Sabah and Sarawak.
The federal constitution is the pillar of national stability and national identity. As a Malaysian citizen, the foundation of our unity is what binds us together. UiTM is designed to produce more students of Malays and natives of any of the states of Sabah Sarawak.
Article 153 of the Federal Constitution guarantees this agreed-upon policy. UiTM dates back to the foundation of RIDA (Rural & Industrial Development Authority Training Centre). It was the inspiration of Dato’ Onn Ja’afar, the founder and former president of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). In June 1965, Dewan Latehan RIDA became known as Maktab MARA or MARA College and became one of the MARA Training Division’s units. On October 14, 1967, MARA College officially changed its name to Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM). ITM’s development evolved in three phases that spanned in a period of 32 years from 1967 to 1999. Historically, in August 1999, the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, announced the change of ITM to Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). UiTM has consistently been the center of academic excellence, graduating over a million Malays and natives from Sabah and Sarawak. Thus, why do we need to change on this enrollment policy and is it necessary?
All Malaysian citizens must respect, acknowledge, and reinstate the privilege under Article 153. Article 10 of our Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, despite the diversity of opinions and views in our democratic society. There are, however, limits set by Article 10(2), (3) & (4) including the probability that Parliament will pass laws of prohibiting the questioning of any matter, right, status, position, privilege, sovereignty, protected by Article 152,153, or 181.
This is not a de facto Akademi Apartheid in our prosperous harmonious home. The accepted and acknowledged Federal Constitution of Malaysia and our National Principles (Rukun Negara) bind and unite us, proudly declaring our Belief in God, Loyalty to the King and Country, Supremacy of the Constitution, Rules of Law, Courtesy and Morality. If we adhere to these principles, we will remain united. UiTM has made significant contributions to national development of our multi-racial society across various professions. It is also fostering economic prosperity for our multi-racial traders residing within the UiTM premises not just the Malays and natives of of Sabah Sarawak.
The majority of the Malaysian populace, particularly the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak will feel uncomfortable if some aspects of their true national identity or nation privileges are questioned, such as the limiting enrollment to only Malays and natives of Sabah Sarawak for UiTM.
Yes, some of them claimed to be open minded and opposed to the constitution, which guaranteed UiTM enrollment. Some of this open minded individuals are reportedly selecting a particular political party. Some of them are also said to want to bring their girlfriend home by choosing not to nosy neighborhood but a wrong is still a wrong. It still a sin for Malay Muslims to commit adultery, regardless whether they have nosy neighbor or not.
UiTM’s graduates do not embody a racial or coconut mindset. Various industries have always recognised UiTM graduates, and the multi-racial academic staff is an integral part of the UiTM family. As stated in our Federal Constitution and National Principles, together they have won prestige awards, received international recognition, and promoted Malaysian harmony in every aspect.
There are some other options for the debated cardiothoracic surgery postgraduate program, and the national strategist could technically solve it within the other academic system to avoid any controversial disparity in social and judicial precedent for future debates. Postgraduate enrolment in UiTM does not fall under the stated article 153 of Federal Constitution as the foreigners are not Malaysian citizens. The Higher Education Ministry has granted permission for the enrolment of around 15% of international student through Section 27 Act 1973. It is not feeding the monkeys in the forest because It is also part of the internalization academic initiatives for local universities.
While it’s acceptable to express opposing viewpoint, labelling UiTM as Akademi Apartheid or as merely another manifestation of our deeply ingrained racial issues is misleading. This is a fundamental aspect of our national identity as outlined in our Federal Constitution. Additionally, avoiding controversial remarks is a crucial part of upholding the values of our Rukun Negara. Furthermore, claiming the restricting collaboration with UiTM solely to the field of Islamic medicine is unfair, given the presence of non-Muslim students at UiTM, especially those hailing from Sabah and Sarawak.
The MADANI government is believed to uphold UiTM enrolment policy. Kesejahteraan is one of its pillars which means the national stability unites in certain agreed unity values. Maintaining national unity based of fundamental beliefs is crucial to achieving the MADANI values. There is nothing to be fixed here. Furthermore, as we are entering post-normal time, challenging maneuvering complexities, chaos and contradiction necessitate common acceptance of strong national identity based on our Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara. Let’s hold these stated values together and protect this common bond in our non-apartheid country, beloved Malaysia.
