What are the chances of a non-Malay this time?

The Ministry of Higher Education is expected to decide on the first vice-chancellor for the Darul Naim University in Kelantan in September or October, Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said.

He also said that the first intake of students was expected to begin in July next year.

The location of the university would be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he told reporters after a briefing on the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) and discussion of current issues at the campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kubang Kerian, here.

Replying to questions at a dialogue session earlier, Mustapa denied that there was lobbying among Kelantan Umno leaders for the university to be located in their respective constituencies.

"I myself, as the minister, do not know the location of the university, and I hope the people will not pay heed to this coffeeshop politics," he said.

**** It would be a wonderful confidence building gesture if the government or the person or persons who take the decision, appoint a non-Malay to the vice-chancellorship, made more meaningful by the fact that the uni will be in the Malay heartland. Such a farsighted move will mean more than just empty patriotic rhetoric. It is a good opportunity. Let us see if the government walks the talk.