Dr Halimah: No racial quota for Selangor State Government education loans

Press Statement

09 Jun 2011

Selangor State Government Education Loans Is Open To All Malaysians With No Racial Quota Imposed

I refer to the article, “Yayasan S’gor under fire over scholarships” dated 7 June 2011. http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/06/07/yayasan-sgor-under-fire-over-scholarships/

While only two Selangor education loans which have been awarded to students of Chinese descent in 2011 to date, it is important to consider the full picture that there were only four applications received from students of Chinese descent to begin with.

The two applicants who were turned down were turned down because they did not meet the eligibility requirements, and required funding for studies abroad in particular.

Yayasan Selangor has published awareness of the education loans through numerous means, including informing all the primary schools and secondary schools, including SJKC and SJKT since January 2011.

Advertisements calling for applications were placed in Selangor Times on 24 December 2011, Selangor Kini on 1 January 2011 and in Makkal Osai on 25 January 2011.

Yayasan Selangor has also conducted public briefings on the education loan on the following dates:

1. 23 December 2010 to the Indian community at Majlis Perbandaran Kajang

Chairperson – Mr Chandra Mohan, Indian NGO representatives, representatives from the Indian community and Indian community leaders. 70 attendees

2. 25 January 2011 to the Chinese community at Majlis Perbandaran Kajang

Chairperson – Mr Chandra Mohan, Chinese NGO representatives, representatives from the Indian community and Indian community leaders. 40 attendees

3. 8 January 2011 at Majlis Perbandaran Petaling Jaya, specially for Indian community leaders

Chairperson – Senator Ramakrishnan. Also present YB Charles Santiago (MP Klang), YB M Manogaran (MP Teluk Intan), Mr Thirumoorthy A/L Periasamy (Kuala Selangor local councillor), Mr Kanan A/L Thangarasu (DAP Selangor committee member) and other Indian community leaders. 40 attendees

4. 24 January 2011 at Menara Yayasan Selangor to ADUN Lembah Jaya YB Khasim bin Abdul Aziz and his entourage

Yayasan Selangor has also publicised the education loan in the education exhibitions held in conjunction with the GeMS (Generasi Idaman Selangor) programme held throughout the state organised by the Selangor State Government.

1. GeMS Bagan Lalang – 9 October 2010

2. Sekolah Kiblah opening, Kuala Langat – 16 October 2010

3. GeMS Kuala Selangor, Tesco Kuala Selangor – 24 October 2010

4. GeMS Stadium Selayang, Gombak – 27 September 2010

5. GeMS Unisel Kuala Selangor – 22-23 November 2010

6. GeMS Jusco Bukit Tinggi – 23 January 2011

7. Motivasi Jelajah Masjid At-Taqwa, Kuala Langat – 22 January 2011

8. Maulidur Rasul MPS Gombak – 15 February 2011

9. Jom Masuk U (MIECC Kuala Lumpur) – 2-3 April 2011

10. Education Career 2011, Jaya Jusco Cheras Selatan – 17 April 2011

11. Hari Keluarga Pertubuhan Anak Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan di The Woods, Hulu Selangor – 30 April 2011

Despite these efforts, it appears that the number of students who apply for and accept the Selangor education loans is not high because they have the option of applying for and accepting Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) loans which offer larger loans.

I emphasise that the State Government of Selangor under Pakatan Rakyat has a strong track record of providing state services to all, regardless of race, as is evident by our “Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor” agenda.

Likewise, the Selangor State Government education loan is race-blind, i.e. there is no racial quota imposed.

Thus, I encourage all eligible students to apply with confidence knowing that they will be assessed fairly based on their academic merit and family household income, and not upon the colour of their skin.

Statistik Permohonan Pembiayaan Pinjaman Pelajaran Yayasan Selangor Mengikut Kaum

Kaum	Bil Permohonan	Bil Ditawarkan Pinjaman	Bil Terima Tawaran
Bumiputra	350	227	141
Cina	4	2	0
India	19	11	6
Jumlah	373	240	147

Y.B Dr Halimah Ali,

Selangor State EXCO

for Education, Higher Education & Moral Character Development