Meritocracy in Education

Hentikan meritokrasi pendidikan

"Hari ini meritokrasi telah mewujudkan ketuanan Cina. Tidak ada yang menguntungkan pelajar Melayu. Bayangkan pelajar Melayu di IPT kini hanya kira-kira 35 peratus dan selebihnya kaum Cina.

"Dalam aspek biasiswa pula, pelajar Melayu gagal menjadi dominan dalam merebut biasiswa kerana pada tahun lalu, sejumlah 80 peratus pelajar Cina menerima biasiswa kerana mendapat keputusan cemerlang berdasarkan penetapan kerajaan melalui meritokrasi," katanya.

Return “justice” to Malay students, Govt told

Abolish meritocracy in education and return justice to Malay students. This was the proposal by Malay Consultative Council president Ibrahim Abu Shah at a forum, and it drew support from several Malay educationists.

"Today, meritocracy has created Chinese supremacy. There is nothing to benefit Malay students. Imagine Malay students only make up 35 per cent of those in higher education institutions and the rest are Chinese.” Ibrahim was quoted as saying this as a panel speaker at the ‘Malay and Bumiputra Education Convention’ organised by Yayasan Pelajaran Mara, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris and Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung on Saturday.

“In terms of scholarships, Malay students have failed to dominate the allocation of scholarships. Last year, 80 per cent of Chinese students received scholarships as they obtained outstanding results based on the government’s policy of meritocracy.” he said.

The former Universiti Teknologi Mara deputy chancellor's proposal was for the Education Ministry to restructure the education system in order to return 'justice' to Malay students, from pre-school right up to tertiary level.

It's called blaming others for your own failures. Conveniently, it has to be the Chinese right? People would think that the Chinese Malaysians are all born geniuses.

I can't fathom why an ex-educationist would view meritocracy in education as something bad.

"Ketuanan Cina" or Chinese supremacy? Seriously? What on earth is Chinese supremacy? Supremacy in what? There's a limit on how far you can bend the truth before the truth smacks you right in the face.

Anyway, what is meritocracy but merely a label. Has it been implemented in it's true form? It doesn't matter what you call it, it's the results that matter. You can revert to previous systems, whatever it's called. Actually I don't know what they call it, is it mediocrity? hypocrisy? frivolity? stupidity?

Like they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. 

1. "Malay students only make up 35 per cent of those in higher education institutions and the rest are Chinese." 
- What is the percentage of Malay students in public institutions? What's the percentage of Chinese students who had to study in private institutions? What is the percentage in UTM itself? And how much it costs to study in private institutions compared to public ones?

- I remember not too long ago, there was a hue and cry over the low enrollment of Malays in private IPTs, you know, those that costs half your house, like Sunway, Help, Taylors, Inti, etc. Maybe they were thinking that these colleges would offer more scholarships to Malay students? Or perhaps they are passing the buck, because public IPTs cannot accommodate the ever increasing number of students?

2. "Last year, 80 per cent of Chinese students received scholarships as they obtained outstanding results based on the government’s policy of meritocracy."

- Let's just say that, we are very fortunate that he is not the Education Minister. What is wrong with students studying hard to obtain good results? How many Chinese students applied? What are the absolute numbers of Chinese compared to Malays? Why is it wrong for Chinese students who qualify to obtain scholarships?

- I strongly object to the use of education as a political tool. Already, our education standards are declining because of people like him in the system. There are other more effective ways to help a certain community. Lowering standards and increasing intakes for the sake of it, is doing more harm than good for the students who are supposed to be helped.

Children and students are not objects for political manipulation. Their future should not be toyed with by adults like these. We must appreciate talents. The reason USA and other developed countries are advancing is because they appreciate talents. Any kind of talents.

Most importantly, do these kinds of statements made by ex-judges, ex-VCs, ex-whatever, reflect the views of the majority Malays themselves?

If it is true, our future looks bleak.

Closing down of Jonker Walk not a punishment

Tourism Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has denied that the Jonker Walk night market has been closed down in order to punish Chinese hawkers who did not support MCA and the government in the May 5 general election.

"It's just an accusation that is not true. I don't think we want to punish (the Chinese). I am an Umno minister and I have nothing personal against the Chinese," he said.

Yesterday, the opposition had accused that the closing down of Jonker Street was a form of political retaliation .

Source:  Closing down of Jonker Walk not a punishment

DAP: Jonker Street market shutdown spites Melaka's interest

KUALA LUMPUR (June 25): DAP National Publicity Secretary has criticised the Melaka government for acting against the state and people’s interest in shutting down the popular Jonker Street weekend night market.

Pua, who is Petaling Jaya Utara MP, described the move as “political vengeance and retaliation” against non-Malays for voting against Barisan Nasional in the recent 13th general election.

This comes as Melaka chief minister Datuk Idris Haron on Monday defended the state government’s decision to close the market as a move that heeds the people’s intentions.

Source:  DAP: Jonker Street market shutdown spites Melaka's interest

UPDATED - Found a post in The Star: Jonker Street must never be shut down, say traders

MALACCA: About 100 traders staged a walkabout in Jonker Street to protest the state government’s decision to shut down the famous weekend Jonker Walk.
Carrying placards written in Chinese, the group gathered at about 9pm on Sunday at a stage near the area.

It had been announced recently that the area would be opened to traffic every day instead of being closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

This news item appeared out of the blue. I couldn't find any mention in the MSM media. It appears that these politicians are putting on a show again aka 'sandiwara'. Again, this is another reason why I have such low regards to these people. They act according what the crowd wants. Often, they take on 'good guy' or 'bad guy' roles.

Nonetheless, it's almost always Chinese bashing. Sometimes, for variety, they would throw in religion. After years of this, wouldn't you think that people, especially the Chinese, are getting sick of it? Do they really think it is fun? I seriously suggest that they find other things to act out their silly plays. It's really getting old.

If this continues, something is going to snap and the Chinese will be the victims. Again.

To the politicians, both BN & PR & others, please be mindful of your actions and words. Sustained racial bashing and hate mongering is not so easily reversed. 

Malaysians, please do not let yourselves to be used by politicians. End of the day, it is always the people who will pay for their politicians' follies.

Just look at what you've already done to the Chinese. 

They are already pushed into a corner, all 90% of them, DAP's and PR's corner. Tell me, how is it good for one community to be pushed into supporting one political party?

At the same time, Malays are encouraged to hate the Chinese. Punish the Chinese. Discriminate against Chinese.

I don't buy all those reasons they give. It was a concerted and planned effort. And they know it!

Discrimination in employment (Updated)

Source

Excerpts from the post:

 "Kajian selama enam bulan itu mendapati, syarikat yang dimiliki oleh kaum Cina dan pihak asing lebih mengutamakan graduan kaum Cina untuk bekerja dengan mereka.

Daripada 3,012 resume yang dihantar untuk 753 pekerjaan kepada syarikat terbabit, kaum Melayu hanya mempunyai 4.2% peluang untuk dipanggil menghadiri temu duga.

Kaum Cina pula mempunyai sebanyak 22.1% peluang walaupun mereka mempunyai kelulusan setara dan lepasan universiti sama dengan kaum Melayu.

Kajian itu melibatkan 439 jawatan kosong di syarikat yang dimiliki kaum Cina, 131 jawatan di syarikat milik asing dan 73 jawatan di syarikat milik Melayu dan selebihnya di syarikat yang dimiliki secara bersama oleh pelbagai kaum."

The study found that Chinese applicant stand a higher chance  to be called for an interview compared with Malay applicants. 

I'm sure many would disagree or probably view it as propaganda, but I think the result is quite accurate. Most, not all, Chinese companies have majority Chinese employees, especially in management or executive roles. Other races, if any, are usually found in non-executive positions. 

However, I find that the study might be a bit skewed. I noticed the discrepancy in the number of job openings being much higher for the Chinese companies compared to foreign and Malay ones. Although it states similar qualifications, but it did not state the type of courses and industry. Those are actually important factors which were omitted. 

I think it would be better if the study was done with equal numbers of job openings and applicants according to race, and between equal number of companies owned by Chinese, Malays and foreigners and their respective industries.

Anyway, even without such studies, we would come to the same conclusion with just casual observation. Well, Chinese-owned companies are not exactly easy to work in anyway. Even the Chinese find it tough working for a Chinese boss, of course there are always exceptions.

"Saya kira lebih baik orang Melayu/Bumiputera diberikan kemahiran hingga ke peringkat tertinggi iaitu dengan memberikan mereka latihan yang betul di dalam perniagaan dan pengetahuan teknikal."

 This is an interesting statement. I fully agree with it. In fact, it applies to all races. When youngsters cannot get a job, it leads to increase in social problems. I'm sure the government is aware of this because Malaysia actually lack skilled workers. Society places too much emphasis on paper qualifications and it is actually ruining the future of these students when they have problems getting jobs after they graduate, saddled with study loans and wasted years.

Passion

Students and parents especially should really take this into consideration. To me, passion and attitude are more important qualities, of course, certain jobs still require appropriate qualifications. In reality, not everyone is suited for academic pursuits. I have seen students struggling in their courses just to pass. I have also seen people who hates their jobs but do not have a choice. I seen professionals who burn-out after a decade in their jobs, finally quit, and found happiness and success doing what they liked. Passion. With passion, every challenge can be overcome. Without, everyday is a chore.

What I see now, is a very serious mismatch of qualification and skills with regards to market requirements. In today's competitive environment, depending on the industry, employers do not have the luxury of time and resources to train their new employees. They would prefer to hire those with experience. Even then, you are expected to be independent and would still be able to deliver even with limited resources. Gone are the days when a manager have a whole army of staff to assist him.

"You need a lot of passion for what you're doing because it's so hard. Without passion, any rational person would give up. So if you're not having fun doing it, if you don't absolutely love it, you're going to give up. And that's what happens to most people, actually. If you look at the ones that ended up being successful in the eyes of society, often times it's the ones who love what they do, so they could persevere when it got really tough. And the ones that didn't love it, quit. Because they're sane, right?  Who would put up with this stuff if you don't love it? So its a lot of hard work and it's a lot of worrying constantly. If you don't love it, you're going to fail."

24 June 2013 Updated with a response from Mr. Koon Yew Yin, to the original article "Redefining the Malay Agenda" by Zaid Ibrahim.

Mr. Koon Yew Yin is an investor and philantropist. He is the founder IJM Group, Gamuda and Mudajaya. Apparently he has set up a fund, called Koon Yew Yin Educational Foundation Fund which offers scholarships to deserving students for their one year foundation course.

Quote:

" One is that past policies benefitting the Malays must not be at the expense of the non-Malays. For example, educational and employment policies favouring Malays have led to the exodus of some of the brightest and best non-Malays in the past thirty years.

This out-migration has been a national tragedy as they could have helped build a better future for all Malaysians, especially the young Malays needing better jobs.

Today, we have a ridiculous situation of the BN government belatedly recognizing the folly of racial exclusionary policies and attempting to attract Malaysians to return to help create jobs for our young."

Although the tone of his reply is kind of personal in nature, I would like to highlight the issue of "brain-drain". It is a global trend, that those really bright talented people will prefer to work in developed nations. Everyone, if given a choice would pick, for example, USA or UK over Vietnam or Sudan. Although policies do play a role in this, but I would not say it is the only reason. Which is why I think their "efforts" in attracting overseas "talented" Malaysians back is just for show.

From my observation, business investments, local or foreign, in Malaysia is declining.  Even GLCs and government agencies are investing overseas. Jobs will be getting lesser in the coming years. The reason is because the cake is not growing. As a result, slices are getting thinner as it is shared around. The solution? Obviously, it's to grow the cake. And most of the people in the government, in BN, in PR, has got no clue how to do it. Those that do, finds that it takes tremendous courage and political will to do it. So, the easy way out is to cast the net wide and hope to score a catch.