PSD Scholarships: East Malaysia Angle

This is not so much a posting of opinion rather than a call for discussion and information. Tony has blogged about the plight of PSD scholarship applicants rejects here. I want to discuss the scholarship issue from a different perspective - from an East Malaysia angle. This was sparked off by a recent report in the Star, which highlighted the plight of Cornelius Ng, 17, who obtained 11 1As and two 2As in last year’s SPM examination and was also chief prefect at SMK Sungai Maong as well as a librarian. SMK Sungai Maong is a school in Kuching, Sarawak.

My perception has been that it is traditionally easier for Chinese in Sarawak and Sabah to obtain government scholarships because the racial quota in East Malaysia is seen as more 'fluid' or 'less rigid'. Furthermore, my impression is that, results like that of Cornelius, which might not necessarily stand out in Peninsular Malaysia, would be seen as pretty outstanding in the context of East Malaysia for two reasons: (i) the number of Chinese top scorers are lower compared to East Malaysia because of the smaller number of Chinese and (ii) the % of Chinese who score straight A1s is also lower because of lower levels of competition.

But apparently, this is not the case as Cornelius is only one of 138 Sarawakians (presumably all Chinese) who asked the youth section of the SUPP to appeal on their behalf (Apparently, all 138 appeals were unsuccesful).

The political situation in East Malaysia, especially Sarawak, is certainly a little bit different compared to the Peninsular. For example, there are Chinese mayors in major Sarawak cities (Sibu, Kuching) and there is also a Chinese Deputy Chief Minister (George Chan, SUPP), both unprecedented in the context of Peninsular Malaysia. But does this kind of exception extend to the scholarship arena, which is seeen as much more of being under federal jurisdiction?

My sense is that there is a difference but I'm not sure of where the lines are drawn. I stand to be corrected, especially in the light of the situation with Cornelius and many others like him.