Najib: Government to introduce new category of scholarships

By DHARMENDER SINGH

PUTRAJAYA: A new category of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships will be introduced next year based purely on merit, regardless of race.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was sure that such a category would be welcomed by all communities, including the Chinese.

“We are restudying the distribution of scholarships under the Public Service Department scheme to introduce a new category.

“We will announce it next year and with the plan to limit the Sijil Pelajaran Malay-sia to 10 subjects, we expect to see a more level playing field,” he said in his speech at a dinner organised by the MCA and the Associated Chinese Chamber of Com-merce and Industry Malaysia here yesterday.

Najib said this would allow Malay-sia’s best students to receive aid to pursue higher studies.

“So the best of the best and the creme de la creme will get aid for higher studies.

“I believe this will be accepted well and it will allow each individual a fair chance to realise his full potential,” he said, adding, however, that he was not “letting the cat out of the bag” just yet about the scheme.

Artistry: Najib (right) looking at a painting during a dinner function at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here last night. With him are MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (second from right) and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (third from right). — Bernama

Najib said that contrary to perception, not all Chinese were rich.

“Like all Malaysians, they also want to see their children have a good education and become successful. All this involves costs,” he said, adding that every race had its needs and if the Government could bring policies that were fair, the Chinese would continue to support the Barisan Nasional.

Najib said the Chinese were not against Malays succeeding or were opposed to efforts to help the bumiputras, but that they wanted policies which looked at the needs of all Malaysians fairly.

“And that’s why I included it in the 1Malaysia concept,” he said, adding that he would also look into MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat’s request for more government land to build Chinese vernacular schools.

Najib said that during his trip to China, the Chinese government had also promised to bring more investments to Malaysia.

“I’m told they are preparing a loan fund as a sign of their commitment to us. I believe there is an opportunity for China to help boost Malaysia’s economy in terms of development, which will include the banking sector as well,” he said.

“I have also looked into the needs of the local Chinese community when I introduced the 1Malaysia plan, which covers the needs of all regardless of colour, ethnicity and culture,” he added.

Ong said in his speech that the dinner was not just to celebrate the appointment of Najib as Prime Minister but to also show that the Chinese community would always be with the Government and his leadership as it strives to overcome the current economic problems.

Related Article by Rocky's Bru & Here