Should UiTM remain Bumiputera-only while vernacular schools exist?

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Universiti Teknologi Mara Should Maintain Bumiputera-Only Admission While Vernacular Schools Persist

The Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Alumni Association president, Datuk Mohd Zaini Hassan, stated that UiTM should continue to exclusively admit Malays and Bumiputeras as long as national-type or vernacular schools, which are based on race, operate in Malaysia. This stance is rooted in the principle that UiTM's admission policy should align with the existing structure of the national education system. A petition opposing the opening of UiTM to non-Bumiputeras has garnered significant public support, with 156,713 signatures collected on Change.org.
Alignment with National Education System

Mohd Zaini Hassan articulated that the decision on whether UiTM should admit non-Bumiputeras should be consistent with the broader national education framework. His reasoning highlights the diverse nature of Malaysia's school system, where institutions often cater to specific racial or ethnic groups. He posited that as long as this racial diversity persists at the primary and secondary school levels, the original objective of UiTM, which is to serve the Malay and Bumiputera communities, should be upheld.
Maintaining UiTM's Original Mandate

The core argument presented by the UiTM Alumni Association president is the preservation of UiTM's foundational purpose. This purpose, as understood by the association, is to provide tertiary education opportunities specifically for Malays and Bumiputeras. This objective, they contend, remains relevant and should be maintained as long as the underlying structure of the Malaysian education system, including the presence of vernacular schools, continues to reflect racial distinctions.
Public Sentiment and Petition

Public opinion on the proposal to open UiTM's admissions to non-Bumiputeras has been demonstrably strong, as evidenced by the online petition. The Change.org petition, launched to protest this potential policy shift, has collected a substantial number of signatures, indicating widespread concern and opposition among a segment of the public. This level of engagement underscores the sensitivity of the issue and the strong feelings associated with UiTM's identity and role in the national education landscape.

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Should UiTM remain Bumiputera-only while vernacular schools exist?

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