By Dyana Sofya, DAP candidate for Teluk Intan
As a graduate of UiTM, I take pride in my alma mater, just like many others with affectionate ties to their respective schools of higher learning, be it Ivy League institutions or local institutions of higher learning. I have always made it known, especially upon my foray into politics in 2011, that I am a lawyer, having graduated from UiTM Shah Alam. Having failed in its attack on my gender, UMNO is now using my alma mater as fodder for political attacks against me. My time in UiTM has trained me well enough to resist this attempt by UMNO to manipulate UiTM by using it as its political tool.
Sometime last year, I proposed in an interview that a similar institution like UiTM, which provides affordable, quality education to the Malays, be established for the non-Malays. I believed and I still do, that education should not be race-based. Access to quality higher education should be accorded to all qualified, hardworking and deserving Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, region, gender and political affiliation. While a student in UiTM, I noticed the discrepancy where rich children of UMNO leaders were admitted into UiTM while poorer but more qualified non-UMNO linked families were shut out. A responsible and righteous government will not condone such injustice. A responsible and righteous government will correct this injustice. But instead of being open to constructive proposals, UMNO has gone on the defensive by accusing me of wanting to abolish UiTM. This is precisely why many Malaysians feel that UMNO has lost its plot. Instead of working to improve this nation, UMNO closes both ears and reads what it wants to read.
Equal opportunity to all deserving Malaysians does not mean that the Malays will be robbed. It means that more deserving Malaysians of all races, including many Malays who do not support UMNO, will have access to quality higher education. UMNO has lost sight of our future and is more concerned of stoking ethnic sentiments in order to shore up its support base. A public institution, more so a public institution of higher learning should never be placed at the mercy of a political party. UiTM belongs to the people, and not to UMNO.
The extent of this ‘forced takeover’ of UiTM by UMNO has even resulted in UMNO leaders labelling me a traitor for being a candidate of DAP, as apparently according to these UMNO leaders, UiTM alumni are not supposed to do that. When did joining UiTM made us UMNO members? It is highly ironic that UMNO is claiming that UiTM students should support UMNO as this is the same party that discourages students from being active in politics. Students are to be free to express their views and thoughts, and be accorded their freedom to pursue their dreams and ambitions. No political party has a right to stand in the way of the dreams and aspirations of young Malaysians.
I call upon my fellow alumni, and to all students in public institutions of higher learning, to never allow yourselves to be chained to the agenda of UMNO and BN. An alma mater means a nourishing mother in Latin. Never allow UMNO and BN to rob you of a nourishing mother by turning it into a repressive master. I aim to further the cause of student and youth activism if elected into Parliament, for the young are raring to change this nation around and I hope to be given the chance to play my part in this.
You seem to be well educated by UiTM… but have no wisdom… it is not your aptitude that determine you altitude in life… but your attitude. It is very much to be desired. As an ex ITM… I feel ashamed to see the product of this esteem institution serve the DAP. Obviously.. you have not seen the real character of DAP. God bless Malaysia if the future generation does not have the wisdom and just totally rely on qualification and looks.
Dear Dyana
After reading your articles in The Rocket I feel very positive about the future of Malaysia. You bring a wave of fresh air after being smothered with tons of embarrassing, abrasive, insensitive, hatred-inciting and disuniting remarks by our nation’s uncouth leaders of various politically-influenced and political bodies. The negativity and brainless idiocy conveyed by them douse any spark of hope for Malaysia. In contrast your well written articles resonates confidence filled with honest passion to create a better Malaysia for all Malaysians. You have my support for I believe that you make an honorable and dependable stateswoman. Thank you for giving us common Malaysians hope again for our homeland Malaysia! I wish you great success in the Teluk Intan by-elections!
You Inspire Me!
After going through your explanation I convey my great respect for you DYANA. I hope thst rakyat will make good judgement and vote wisely.
Dyana….u have my support. I am an ex itm…i never had umno nor bn support during my study. Yes…it is ashamed to see rich malay family in itm while poor ones were left out from the institute.
Irrespective of my political inclinations, of which there is none save my hope for an enlightened leadership and governance, I find your statement, Mr Mohd Radzi to be ill-intentioned. Schools are not meant to be instruments of propagation of political affiliation as a basic function of any government is to provide avenues of education to all. In this respect I would like to commend ms Dyana for pointing out that in the way that she did.
Mohd Radzi Ahmad Tajuddin- Tell me what is the real character of the DAP? The fact that you can write this in the Rocket is the real character of the DAP.Your beloved goons have block me from commenting in Yahoo.Your beloved sewage medias tell lies.You assume that people will vote her because of her looks. Then UMNO Baru should get ratu cantik to contest against her.
What is the real character of Malays? When you need help because you are a victim of the ketuanan power of UMNO Baru you run to the DAP.Pendek Ahmad have to get the DAP for help. What sort of face do you want more when a CinaBabi end up in prison for a Malay makcik??Will your UMNO Baru fellow do it for you?
One of the people who was responsible for carrying out Project M or I would rather call it Project Treason ended up being detain for two years.She was a Malay carrying out the instruction to issue MyKad to foreigners like kacang putih. She was assured that the emperor with the capital M was behind it so she would receive “protection”But when its time for the fall guy to fall then she ended up being detain. Of course she is now real mad against the emperor and people like you.
I suppose voting for a Chinese is O.K. for you. Or is it because that idoit is only a Malay wayang kulit.It’s O.K. then to fool CinaBabis.