'Help students, or we'll torch 1M'sia logo'

By Rahmah Ghazali

KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Rights Party (HRP) has warned that it will torch a 1Malaysia logo if the government does not respond to its demand to help the Indian students who scored top marks in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.

Last Saturday, the party issued a three-day ultimatum to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's administration to help the students who have been denied entry into tertiary institutions despite numerous appeals.

HRP believes this is a case of racial discrimination.

Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters here today, HRP coordinatior W Sambulingam said the government has yet to respond.

He said they will wait until June 4 when the results will be announced regarding the students' application for government-loans and to be included in tertiary courses.

'Expect a large crowd'

"If there is still no feedback after June 4, we will challenge the government to prove that all those who obtained (university) places are better than these students.

"These students cannot afford to study in private instititutions, let alone foreign universities,” he added.

Sambulingam warned if there is no favourable response, they will stage a peaceful gathering outside the Parliament House on June 15 and submit a memorandum to Najib and Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin.

He said they will also torch a 1Malaysia logo to “expose the truth” that the prime minister is wasting taxpayers' money in promoting the all-inclusive concept.

Sambulingam believes that if a protest is held over this issue, it will draw a large crowd.

The HRP coordinator also took the government to task for “subsidising” the education expenses of foreign students here, but not qualified Malaysians.

“If they can sponsor foreign students, why can't they take care of their own children?" he asked.

Online petition launched

To apply further pressure on the government to help the students, Sambulingam said the party has also launched an online petition.

"We have launched the signature campaign to urge the government to grant scholarships and places in matriculation colleges and universities and also in the critical courses of the students' choice.

"We also urge the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the 'years of injustice' and to make proposals to implement a needs-based educational policy," he said.

If all fails, Sambulingam said HRP will drag the government to court.

He said a civil suit will be filed to compel the govenrment to grant scholarships, matriculation and public university places to all students who obtain 7As and above in their SPM.

"This is to stop all forms of di disrimination in the admission to public educational institutions," he said.