MCA follows up on Cabinet decision

The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA will set up a secretariat at its headquarters here to follow up on the decision by the Cabinet to increase the number of non-Malay civil servants, said party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

He said the secretariat would monitor the applications of Public Services Department (PSD) scholarships, which had been increased to attract more non-Malays to join the civil service.

“After they receive such scholarships to further their studies locally, they will have to join the government sector and this is one of the most practical ways to increase the number of non-Malay civil servants,” he said after chairing the MCA central committee meeting here yesterday.

He said previously, the party had received good results when helping students who failed to get such scholarships to appeal to the PSD.

“As a result, the number of such scholarships has increased over the years to allow students to pursue tertiary education,” he said.

Ong said the secretariat would also organise roadshows nationwide to give talks to those who are interested to join the civil service.

“Through higher education institutions, we will also provide students with more information on working as government servants,” he said.

On the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Memorial which will be set up by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry, Ong said it would allow young people to understand the struggles of Tan in fighting for the country’s independence and the history of Malaysia.

On another matter, Ong said the party had decided not to confirm or deny any media reports or speculation on the party’s strategies for the next general election.

Earlier, Ong presented cheques to 123 successful applicants of the Chang Ming Thien Foundation study loans.

He said the foundation had presented RM11.47mil to 869 students since 2004.

“Currently, 233 students have completed their studies and have started repaying their loans,” he said, adding that the repayment situation was satisfactory.

This year, 116 of the total number of successful applicants will be studying for degree programmes while the remaining seven are postgraduate students.

“The foundation has approved loans to students from different races, religion and political backgrounds as the selection process is solely based on the students’ results and family’s finances,” he said.