Efficiency in Allocating Resources (of scholarships and NEP provisions)

Parliament is actively debating the allocation of scholarships with respect to racial composition in the country. The scholarships would allow students to further their studies to possibly the university of their choice or with similar credentials. The current allocation is 55% for Bumiputra and 45% for nons. According to YB Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian), the latest statistical data indicates the population of Bumiputra at 66%, therefore the allocation of scholarship should reflect the racial composition.

This is a highly sensitive subject, therefore requires much discussion and debate (contrary to what people in general think that the more sensitive it is, the less we should talk about it). Having said that, I'm walking on thin ice and trying to use the best of terms and words to describe and relay my opinion on this subject matter. The NEP/NDP has always been well-intended (to eliminate identification of race by economic function). It is also a well-thought plan to elevate the Malays to high economic stature. However, the by-product of NED/NDP could be the further polarization in this country because of the poor implementation and leakages.

• The common argument is that the Malays in the rural area are not ready to compete, therefore require aid to compete in the 'open' market context. I totally agree with this (but it shouldn't sacrifice the need to attract the brightest and smartest).
  
• UMNO leaders will continue to fight for the allocation for the Malays as they are their power base, likewise the other parties.
• As long as we have fragmented education system starting from primary level, the segregation and polarization would continue to get worse and it would be more apparent at tertiary level.
  
• Universities need to be ran by professionals without 'political obligations'. Universities should also be ran like a business. Harvard attracts an endowment fund of close to US27B because it's being run like a business. I'm not saying we can be like Harvard in 5 years, I'm just saying we have to head in that direction. Down South has a better rated university than us because it's ran like a business. It is a business. It's one of the biggest revenue for the US after arms, entertainment and technology.
  
• On scholarships: Contractual agreements must be reviewed to ensure that our students return home and serve the country, be it private or public sector. A small percentage of scholars (including non-Bumi) must be groomed to enter the public sector, be it GLC or into the government as PTD officers. Have them sign a contract for at least 7 years.
  
• Students who fail to maintain scholastic achievements must repay the full amount of the scholarship and sent back home. The effort in collecting debt from unpaid student loans must be doubled. Those who violate this must be sued and be made example.
  
• A small percentage must be allocated for the 'elite' students, those who have a high chance of gaining entry into Ivy League or Ivy-League equivalent schools, the Oxfords of the world, Imperial etc. THESE are the ones we need to take care of. This should be merit-based regardless of family background. These students should be lined up for the next CEOs and senior managements of GLC, govt, banking institutions, multinationals, universities (need to encourage the teaching profession by increasing pay grade for those who deserve), etc.
• What I'm interested to know is how much the scholarship covers and what is the actual budget. I don't think everyone needs to get really excited about this since other corporate entities offer scholarships as well. If the other non-Malays think Petronas and such are too biased and award scholarships to only Malays, let's get the big Chinese conglomerates to fly Malay students to MIT, then we'll talk.
• Judging from my personal recruitment experience of local graduates, our local products are still mediocre. Little confidence level, poor command of English. It is consistent with feedback from other oil companies. There needs to be a balance between adhering to the quota and getting the best and brightest.
  

Answer to comments on "Malaysia for Malaysians and Special Rights of the Malays"

my answer:

bats, Article 153 grants the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or King of Malaysia, responsibility for safeguarding the rights and privileges of the Malay and other indigenous peoples of Malaysia, collectively referred to as Bumiputra. The article specifies how the federal government may protect the interest of these groups by establishing quotas for entry into the civil service, public scholarships and public education. It is often considered to be part of the social contract (Wiki). The word "position" is just another preposition used. Let's skip the terminologies and technicalities of it. We all understand there's a provision for the Malays in the Constitution.

On scholarships and education; in general, the rural folks are far behind compared to those privileged in the cities with better infrastructure, resources and man power. The classic argument is that scholarships should be for low-income families and not for smart rich kids. We forget the middle-class group which is diminishing slowly over time. This is also another group that needs aid. Tertiary education is not cheap as you have experienced yourself. The poverty cycle is something hard to be breached. The kids in the rural area are behind compared to their peers in the cities due to family obligations and others. Question is: do we fund the poor but mediocre or fund the smart ones but could barely afford it (forget about the rich and the definition of rich for now). Is the requirement of a scholarship based on meritocracy or family wealth? It should be a balance of both.

Under privileged group is getting aid and fundings from the government. How do you think they get their books, uniforms, skim susu, transportation allowance, etc. How do you think ppl get to go to universities in Malaysia? Where do you think RM7B per year goes to if not for subsidies in education? There are vast improvements need to be done in our education system. There are leakages of course but a person as smart as you can't possibly believe that all of that is going to someone's pocket?

On acquisition of projects from influential people: this is not just a Malaysian problem, it's everywhere. The collusion of politics and business is unavoidable even in the developed countries. In the US, they are called the "Special Interest" groups ranging from guns for the constitutional provision of the right to bear arms, tobacco, oil, defence. We can get into details offline.

I won't say the execution of NEP was flawed. It has its weaknesses but we've seen an elevation of status. Maybe not as much as we would like, but better. The profession of lawyers and doctors are dominated by the Indians. Where do you think they went to school and who paid for their schooling? The construction of universities and institutions such as MARA have helped increase the number of Malay young professionals. There is still hard core poverty not just in Malaysia, but the whole planet. It doesn't mean we haven't done anything to improve. The most powerful country in the world couldn't even organize emergency teams when Katrina hit New Orleans. In the outskirt of Chicago, a bustling city in the US, lies Madison street where 1 out of 3 African Americans goes to jail for some felony due to poverty.

My stand has always been this: stop blaming others, you have to be responsible for your own well being. For people in privileged positions, participate and help out. This is what's lacking among youths these days who are too busy with their jobs. The next time you spend your weekend watching HBO, think about what you could have done for someone else.

from bats:

what started out as "Special Position.." at the beginning of the article morphed (unintentional, i'm sure) into "Special Rights..." by the end of the piece, and there-in lies the problem.

while the idea is noble, the execution, as i've witnessed, is anything but. 55% of the economic pie is no small feat, but are we ever going to achieve that if the country's wealth is only distributed amongst the ruling elite? it has become a family business and since families never really die, we're going nowhere.

we all know of folks who latch on to politicians in hope of projects, only to sub them out anyway. so what you have is a small circle of bumis and non-bumis who feast on the proverbial pie, while the ones who really need a little love don't get any. 55% or whatever that number is, will remain a pipe dream. what you'll get instead is a group of millionares, even billionares, but that's about it.

it's a touchy subject. blood has been shed over it, sure. but if that's the approach, then status quo will rule for decades to come. we can all accept, sit down and get on with it. SOS.

there is no harm in Islam being the official religion and the King being the head of state. Our country is unique and its identity is its badge of honour. god bless our country for that. I am pretty sure that with good governance, Malaysians will be fine with that, as they have been for yonks now.

what we must acknowledge is the fact that not only underprivelaged malays need this help. underprivelaged others need this handicap too. if that is understood and accepted, we can then put an end to the hijacking and put our country's wealth to good use. you're right, we're seeing it in the cities, but again, those calling for the total abolishment of this policy, the very ones who gained from it, should calm the f*ck down and accept that it will take time to uplift the economic standing of the underprivelaged, be it malays or anyone else.

for a start, the clowns bitching about PSD's decision to increase scholarhips for non-bumis should be flogged. what's their beef with children of other Malaysians who share the same IC colour?

UMNO Presidency handover, Debate and of JPA scholarships

• UMNO President has finally confirmed the date of the handover. However, does that mean no one will contest for the top 2 posts? If so, will they get the 30% nomination?
  
• The handover will be roughly a year before the next UMNO election and the 13th GE. It will be a daunting task for the new chairman of BN to prep and regain lost ground.
  
• For those who are crazy about being a Wakil Rakyat, this is not the year to shine. The next UMNO election will be the one.
  
• On another note, although DSAI has not been charged with any crime, he has moved 3 steps ahead by going to the Syariah courts, knowing well enough that there is no way Saiful could present 4 witnesses to prove his allegation.
  
• First term Minister of Information has declared potential resignation if he fails to perform in the debate with the former deputy minister and finance minister who had access to all levels of confidential info, economic data and secrets above top secrets. Who will win this debate?
  
• With the handover a sealed deal, how does this affect the race for Ketua Pemuda? Will KJ rise to challenge DMM and KT?
• UMNO leaders have requested JPA to relook at the allocation for scholarship and revise the quota for Bumis. We are talking about a mere 2,000 scholarships. The problem with JPA scholarships is that the contract is loose. Students who benefit from the JPA scholarships either stay in the country where they obtained their degrees or work in the private sector. A small percentage, normally among the Malays, fail in their courses and are asked to return. Scholars who use tax payers money for their education must have a sense of responsibility and return to Malaysia to serve the country. JPA must tighten up their contractual agreements and ensure these students are made accountable. Scholars are also EXPECTED to be the next batch of leaders in Malaysia, whether in the private sector or government. Half of the JPA scholars I know don't even bother and have little sense of obligation to king and country. Pitiful.
  
• Meanwhile, while some of us are still in the UMNO election fever, the market dipped by a few ticks. The expected dip is to 1,000 points by year end. Right time to purchase stocks if there's holding power. What's cooking in Ministry of Finance to regain investors' confidence in our market?
  
• Also, last but not least, happy belated birthday TDM!