New entry test for Malaysian students

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33563, 18 June 1974, Page 18

New entry test for Malaysian students

(From Our Own Reported WELLINGTON, June 17. Malaysian students who wished to enter New Zealand universities to further their education would have to qualify in Malaysia, said the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) tonight. This will involve a test in Malay.

The arrangement, to ensure that Malaysian students in New Zealand have the same qualifications as if they were attending their own universities. will not apply to students already on courses, or accepted in New Zealand. It will apply to students in New Zealand in and after 1976. “There are 2500 Malaysian students in New Zealand, many of them private students,” Mr Kirk said. “It is important that public opinion should not turn against Malaysian students coming here for tuition.

“The rule in Malaysia is that before entering university, Malaysian students must pass a test in Malay. We believe this should apply here, to avoid misunderstanding and possibly the undermining of the Malaysian system. “Until now, private students from Malaysia could enter New Zealand and study at our universities without this qualification.” There were more Malaysian students in New Zealand than in any country apart from their own, said Mr Kirk. “There are some 26 scholarships, some of which have not been taken up,” he said. “We are concerned about this. We would like to see more of the children of poorer families in Malaysia have their chance in this country.

“At the same time, I do not think we should do anything to interfere with the domestic balan e in another country. Malaysia is working on a policy of integration and equal citizenship for the three elements of its population— Malays, Chinese, and Indians. We would like to see this reflected in the students who come here.” Asked about the student awaiting trial in Malaysia,

Mr Kirk said that details had been sought from the New Zealand High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur. Information had also been requested from the Malaysian

High Commissioner in Wellington (Mr J. de Silva), who had called on Mr Kirk. He had had “full and frank” discussions with him. It had been Mid that two of the charges against the student related to events which occurred in New Zealand. But this allegation had been made by the former student’s defending counsel, and it also had to be remembered that the student left the country three years ago. It was not true that the student had been put out by officials of the New Zealand Department of Labour, Mr Kirk said. “He left of his own free will as far as we know. But some of the things with which he is charged, at least, occurred in his own country. We cannot comment in detail on charges about which we know little, and we cannot interfere in the affairs of another country."

Brighton maze.—The Council accepted a proposal from Mr and Mrs M. R. Kennett to erect a maze on the New Brighton foreshore on the vacant 70ft by 60ft section on the southern side of the Shoreline Country Club. Ten per cent of the gross takings from the maze will go to the council.