Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang ticked off a journalist today by deeming her "not fit to be a Malaysian" when she had asked him a 'racial' question at the Parliament House lobby today.

Lim, who is DAP national chairperson, claimed the reporter had implied that he was trying to create racial tension by remarking that unfilled university places should be released to deserving non-bumiputra students.

The drama unfolded when the journalist from the Malay daily Berita Harian questioned Lim about his statement on the 7,168 unfilled university places by stating "What is the real purpose of you making this statement?"

"Of course you claim injustice or whatever but are you going to create racial tension, Mr Lim?" she asked.

Lim, who appeared flustered by the question, queried the journalist on where she was from. When the latter replied, the opposition leader retorted, "Berita Harian has taken a very racial line".

"Ask your editor to appear on TV3 and I will prove how the paper has been very racial I hope the reporters are not racial-minded as their editors," added Lim.

Lim explained that it wasn't his intention to create racial unhappiness as the DAP supported the right of bumiputra students to be assisted. And this should be done to recruit them into the fields of engineering, medicine and information technology.

However, it was improper to fill those places with arts or Islamic Studies students when they cannot be filled by qualified bumiputra students, he added.

"I fully agree to this (assistance to bumiputras students) but it must not be at the expense of deserving students of non-bumiputra status. Do you agree with that?" he asked the reporter.

No apology

"Do you think by asking for justice in this question, you will create racial tension? Is Berita Harian out to create a racial riot? Is Berita Harian going to angle this report in a racist manner?," the opposition leader continued.

Lim demanded for the question to be withdrawn as it was a "serious allegation" and had no basis. "A journalist ought to be responsible," he said, adding that she should apologise.

However, the journalist refused and replied, "It's just a question. Why should I apologise?"

"I am just going to record your statement. I am not going to apologise," she stressed.

Lim responded, "If this is your standard and if you are prepared to ask a racist question then I am very, very sorry."

"You are not fit to be a Malaysian. Of course you have the right not to apologise. You are entitled not to apologise but let the public judge you on that," he added.

Last Wednesday, Berita Harian carried an editorial which called for the increase in the quota ratio for education in accordance with the population increase.

The paper stated that 11,376 bumiputra STPM students were not able to get places into public universities although they had the minimum qualifications because the quota for bumiputra students had been exhausted.

"This is in contradiction with reports which claim that 7,168 bumiputra places have not been filled. Where did they get these figures? Those who make such allegations, including The Star have to clarify," stated the editorial further.

The paper also called for the quota to be increased from 55:45 to 66:34 because according to the latest population census, the numbers of Malaysians are now at 23.27 million, Malays 14.56 million (66 percent), Chinese 5.58 million (or 25.3 percent) and Indians 1.63 million (7.4 percent).

Deviations

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kota Melaka Kerk Kim Hock called on former deputy education minister Fong Chan Onn, who is now Human Resources Minister, to resign from the cabinet for his neglect and failure to ensure that the 55:45 quota was adhered to.

On Monday, Kerk said the university intake ratio of bumiputra to non-bumiputra has not been adhered to for nearly three decades and more bumiputra students have been admitted than allowed by the ratio.

Providing statistics from the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC), Kerk said in 1970, bumiputra intake was 54.2 percent and non-bumiputra, 45.8 percent.

However, in 1980, the bumiputra intake was 63.1 percent; non-bumiputra, 36.9 percent. In 1990, bumiputra students comprised 65.9 percent whereas in 1999, they formed 69.9 percent of total intake.

"The cabinet should also apologise for such deviations for the past two decades as such deviations tantamount to a betrayal of public trust," he said.

The cabinet must also reveal detailed statistics to prove that there was no such breach in last year's intake and that the quota has been strictly complied with in this year's intake," he added.

"If breaches had indeed occurred in 2000 and this year, then the present deputy education minister Hon Choon Kim should also resign," said Kerk.

Kerk and Lim were in Parliament hoping to meet Hon Choon Kim in order to address this issue but the latter failed to show up.