KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Rural Development Minister R Sivarasa denied allegations that he proposed for Mara Junior Science College’s (MRSM) to be opened for all races.
Contacted by NSTP, today, the Subang Member of Parliament said he had never discussed the recommendation as alleged by postings in the social media platforms.
He also denied allegations of proposing to rename MRSM's name to Junior Science College.
"This is not correct and it is defamatory, please do not repeat. The name change (MRSM) had never been discussed.
"The proposal (to open entry for all races ) is not correct, it was never made," he said.
Sivarasa said his visit to MARA headquarters, here, a few days ago was to discuss the existing quota system.
"What was discussed was on the existing Mara policy of allocating 10 per cent of MSRM seats to non-Bumiputera students.
MARA had informed that (most of the) quota was never filled,” he said.
On the outcome over the existing quota system, Sivarasa declined to elaborate.
The issue on the decision did not arise. This policy had been there for a long time,” he said.
The issue of opening up MARA to all races went viral earlier today.
This was after an individual claimed that he was in the meeting discussing the matter at the MARA headquarters.
“In the briefing to MARA, he (Sivarasa) questioned on whether MARA would be opened to all (races), said the Whatsupp posting by the individual.
MARA was established on 1 March 1966 to promote, facilitate and carry out Bumiputera economic and social development in the country, especially in the rural areas.
In June 2002, the government decided to allocate 10 per cent quota to non-Bumiputera’s in MRSM and Matriculation Program. This was to strengthen integration among the various races.
Then Deputy Education Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin said the move had no intention of undermining the interests of Malay community’s education.
The quota system was implemented in all MRSMs in the Peninsula except in MRSM Kinarut, Sabah and Kuching, Sarawak which had dedicated to 100 per cent for Bumiputera intake.
It is learnt that the 10 per cent quota was not a new issue as former Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein had suggested it when the government agreed to set up MRSM, where it wanted to see Malay students compete with other races.
