IPOH:
The new application forms for entry into local universities issued by Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) for this year makes a mockery of Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia concept to unite all races.
Former Perak Bar Council chief M Mathialagan said: “Previously, there were only four columns to indicate the race of a university applicant – Malay, Chinese, Indian or other races.
“But now these four columns have been further sub-divided to include hundreds of sub-races that is mind-boggling and makes a mockery of the 1Malaysia concept,” said the outspoken lawyer.
He said the Malays have been subdivided into six categories: Bugis, Boyan, Banjar, Jawa, Jawi Pekan and Minangkabau.
The Indians are sub-divided into eight categories: Malayali, Punjabi, Sikh, Tamil, Telegu, Malabari, Indian Muslim and Orissa.
The Chinese race is sub-divided into 12 categories: Cantonese, Foochow, Hainansee, Henghua, Hokchia, Hokchiu, Hokkien, Khek (Hakka), Kwongsai, Teochew, Kongfoo and Hylam.
The Orang Asli (Peninsula) are sub-divided into eightcategories: Jakun, Negrito, Sakai, Semai, Semalai, Temiar, Senoi and Penan. These are the original Bumiputras.
The Sarawak population has the largest number of sub-divided races (57) while Sabah’s population is sub-divided into 36 categories.
Said Mathialagan: “Our future generations should not be classified into sub-races but should be treated as one Malaysian race .”
“The requirement by the UPU application forms is counterproductive and is a mockery of Najib’s 1Malaysia concept. Why the need for this now?” he asked.