PM: Students with 9A+ to get JPA scholarship

By LESTER KONG (The Star 10.07.2010)

KUALA LUMPUR: All students obtaining 9A+ and more for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination will receive the Public Service Department (JPA) scholarships for either overseas or local universities, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He added that 2,304 Indian students were given places in public universities out of 2,499 who qualified.

He also said 4,541 Indian students applied to enter public universities this year.

“This is a clear manifestation of the Government’s effort to help the Indian community,” he told the 3,000 delegates and observers at the 64th MIC annual general meeting during his opening speech here Saturday.

Najib received a standing ovation when he mentioned all students would get the scholarship irrespective of race.

“This shows that 1Malaysia is really being practised by this Government,” he said.

Najib advised MIC not to use the three Tamil newspapers - Tamil Nesan, Makkal Osai and Malaysian Nanban - for their own political benefit.

“You are using it to destroy each other. Apa ini? You should use them for the benefit of the Indian community,” he urged.

Najib also advised the MIC to stop its internal bickering and change with the times and not let its leadership problems sap its energy to serve the Indian community.

“Do not fight and destroy MIC, that’s my plea to you. There are 3,000 MIC branches. Ask yourselves what the Indian community wants, how do I become a more effective leader? Internal politics can only destroy MIC,” he said.

Also present at the event were MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Najib also touched on the subject of selecting Indian leaders based on their castes.

“Maybe you should not be too carried away by the caste system when it comes to politics.

"I know of an incident where a person did not want to put the garland on another because of the other person being of lower caste,” he said.