Application rejected initially on ‘technical’ ground, says mother
KUCHING: The dilemma of a 18-year-old mixed-blood student, Natasia Nicole Deser, ended when the Matriculation Unit of the Education Ministry approved her application for 2010 matriculation in Labuan yesterday.The reason for the initial rejection of the application was “technical”, said Natasia’s mother Elinia Tiu Chai Hui yesterday.
The dilemma unfolded when on April 16 the unit informed the SMK St Mary high achiever that her application was rejected.
When Tiu asked for verbal reasons, the unit did not respond immediately.
They actually avoided her several times, she claimed.
Dissatisfied with the situation, Tiu told the Borneo Post about her daughter’s plight on Thursday.
Natasia’s story was published yesterday and it attracted the attention of Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas in Putrajaya.
Uggah, who is also Betong member of parliament, was on his way to a Federal Cabinet meeting when he called up The Borneo Post and subsequently Tiu to verify the matter yesterday.
He said the matter would either be brought up to the Cabinet or Education Minister.
Yesterday, Tiu, a branch manager with a broadband service provider, said she was thankful to Uggah, The Borneo Post, and one Abdul Hakim Bujang for posting the story on his blog.
Tiu is a local Chinese while her husband Deser Ahang is a Bidayuh from Semeba.
By virtue of being a Dayak, Natasia should have been selected for matriculation after getting nine ‘As’ in the recent SPM and the fact that her application was placed under the Bumiputera quota.
Yesterday Tiu told the daily that the reason the unit gave for the rejection was ‘on technical ground’.
“As I did not want to antagonise the unit, I just accepted the reason without asking for details,” she said.
“But I hoped such case would not recur or affect other deserving applicants, especially when they are indeed Dayaks or Bumiputeras.
“Although I am glad that Natasia was eventually selected for matriculation, I think it is also wise for her to wait for the result of her application to pursue medical studies at Unimas.”
Tiu said Natasia’s wish is to be a doctor.
“I hope her dream would come true,” she said adding that Unimas (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak) might announce the result early next month.
The peculiarity of Natasia’s case stemmed from an article in the Federal Constitution which states that a Sarawakian Bumiputera is one whose parents are both Dayaks/Bumiputeras.
However, following the case of Marina Undau last year, which generated public outcry, the federal government invoked an administrative order in accordance with the reality of the situation in Sarawak.
It was understood that the relevant agencies are to follow the order accordingly.
Since then the issue appeared resolved until Natasia’s case was highlighted in the daily yesterday.