MY STATEMENT WAS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT

Khalid: My statement was taken out of context

SHAH ALAM: "It was blown out of proportion and taken out of context."

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said this in response to the negative reaction to his suggestion that 10 per cent of places at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) be allocated to non-Bumiputeras.

Abdul Khalid said he made the suggestion in response to a question from the press about the admission of foreign students and non-Bumiputeras to UiTM.

He said it was made in the context of raising the standards of institutions of higher learning, so that the Malays and other Bumiputeras could improve their career prospects.


He said the suggestion was not a policy of the Pakatan Rakyat state government. The state government, he added, would continue to uphold the Federal Constitution and the special rights of the Malays.


He said his personal stand on the matter did not mean he was ignoring the special rights of Bumiputeras.

"It is regrettable that the issues had been taken out of context and made into a racial issue," he said after the weekly state Executive Council meeting yesterday.



He added that he was aware that UiTM was established to improve the status of Bumiputeras.



"In fulfilling the aspirations of Malays, UiTM should not merely focus on the issue of quotas but also on improving quality and facilities at the university so it will be respected."



He said the statement was not an apology. He said it was his belief that universities must be open in order to develop.

"All world renowned universities progress because there is openness and exchange of ideas."


ARTICLES SOURCE: http://www.nst.com.my