Najib to introduce merit-based scholarships, hints at dropping racial quotas

(The Malaysian Insider) Datuk Seri Najib Razak said tonight the government would introduce purely merit-based public scholarships by next year, and also indicated his administration’s intent to completely do away with race-based quotas in more sectors.

The prime minister’s remarks at a dinner organised by the Chinese community appear to be designed to win back the support of non-Malay voters for Barisan Nasional (BN).

While his announcement was short on details, it also indicates his administration’s efforts at hijacking Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) more multi-racial platform.

The prime minister said tonight that he believed quotas were bad and that he wanted to create a win-win situation for all Malaysians.

Najib’s remarks seem to also suggest that he believes he can control the potential backlash from Malays while wanting to convince the non-Malays that, even if they have misgivings about Umno and BN, they should have faith in him.

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