KUALA LUMPUR, A senator has urged the government to find ways to increase the intake rate for Siamese students into public universities.

Senator Aknan Ethook, who is of Siamese descent, said records showed that since 2016, an average of only 580 Siamese students had gained entry into the 20 public universities in the country each year.

“I feel this figure is too low, so I am asking the Higher Education Ministry to find ways to increase the intake of these (Siamese) students.

“And I also appeal to students from the Siamese community to work harder to qualify for studies at public universities,” he said when debating the Supply Bill 2024 in Dewan Negara today.

At the same time, he suggested that the government provide an allocation of RM2 million for one year to pay ‘consolation allowances’ to teachers of the Thai language next year.

According to him, 50 Siamese temples are conducting Thai language classes with the help of 170 volunteer teachers.

Meanwhile, Senator Datin Ros Suryati Alang suggested that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) implement Rahmah initiatives like the Rahmah Holiday Sales.

She said this would give an opportunity to big and small tourism industry players as well as homestay operators to offer attractive holiday packages.

The House will sit again tomorrow.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency