“This is downright unfair, unjust and goes against everything the country stands for. Race should never be a consideration at all,” said its leader, C Sivarraajh.
He added that the NGOs should not look at loan repayments in a racial manner as it is a backwards process that does not contribute to the country’s future.
“We
are trying to slowly erase race as a consideration for scholarships and
study loans and this proposal by 58 Malay NGOs is simply very
regressive.”Sivarraajh (left) also said the only acceptable criterion for exemption is competency, where students with first class honours are exempted from repayment.
“This will motivate students to score better results. It should be enjoyed by all, regardless of race.
“Does the colour of your skin stop you from getting first class honours?” he questioned in a statement yesterday.
He added that instead of looking at race based issues like this, the focus should be on defaulters.
“A more pressing issue is the high number of students, irrespective of race, who avoid repaying their loans, which can deprive others.”
On Sunday, during the National Unity Convention, a coalition of Malay rights NGOs, led by Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, urged the government to consider allowing only bumiputera students be exempted from repaying the study loan.
According to news reports, the 58 NGOs agreed on a ‘National Unity Memorandum’ to be sent to the government, the Agong and the Council of Rulers.
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