THE recent storm in a teacup over a call for Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to allow non-Bumiputera students to enrol on its cardiothoracic programme is a shocking example of how low we have sunk as a nation.

First is the blatant disregard for context, surprisingly shown by young scholars who are supposed to be our hope for the future.

These are adults who have passed 12 years of comprehension tests in at least two languages and fulfilled a minimal requirement for aptitude.

Opening up the cardiothoracic programme to all races is a matter of necessity. How this became an issue of “defending” a “Malay” institution, much less a constitutional debate about Article 153, is mind-boggling.

We have 76 cardiothoracic surgeons in Malaysia, and there is a debate over their qualifications.

To produce more of them to meet the shortage, UiTM is asked to temporarily allow non-Bumi doctors to learn and train there while another programme is prepared in Universiti Malaya.

This is a postgraduate programme, which is already open to international students, who pay a full fee.

It is unconscionable to accord recognition to a foreigner but not a Malaysian non-Bumiputra doctor who wants to serve his country and people.

Even if they were to train 76 more cardiothoracic surgeons who are all non-Bumiputra, what is that number compared to the more than a million graduates of UiTM, which receives more than RM2 billion in funding from Malaysian taxpayers?

The resultant “show of solidarity” over a completely non-existent issue is not only perplexing but distressing to see.

Throughout the episode, at no point did any non-Bumi question UiTM’s motives or seek admission for its general programmes. In short, the students were responding to a non-existent situation.

In the current tinderbox climate in the country,  it is dangerous and irresponsible to plays up racial sentiments.

The noise has spilled over into unfair comparisons with Chinese and,Tamil schools, private colleges and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman It is ridiculous to compare these institutions to UiTM because they are not funded by the same source. And they welcome Bumi students.

The mindset of the people compelled to “defend the Malay institution” of UiTM is further eroding racial harmony.

After all that, can the student body simply “apologise for the misunderstanding”?

This follows the creation of several non-issues and the staggeringly disproportionate response to them.

We have not had respite from these issues since 2018. In fact, they have only worsened.

The government needs to address this seriously – by throwing the book at people who are taking our hard-won peace too lightly and who have faced nearly no consequences for their irresponsible, reckless, and selfish behaviour.

The authorities must quickly and effectively arrest the worsening confusion sowed by these parties, and work to correct the widening misinformation that is causing rifts in society. Troubling issues include freedom of religion and vernacular schools.

The gap is growing wider, fuelled by politics and extremism, and must to be tackled before it causes irreparable damage. – May 23, 2024.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.