KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC has called upon Barisan Nasional leaders to place the interests of the nation first and not forget that they represent all Malaysians.

Central working committee member S. Murugesan said Umno Youth's opposition to the increased quota of Public Service Department scholarships for non-Bumiputeras was a step in the wrong direction.

"While it is understandable that (Umno Youth education bureau chairman) Ahmad Ikmal Ismail has the interest of the Malay students at heart, BN leaders should not forget that we are all Malaysians."

He said Malay students did not have to worry as the government would not lower the number of Malay students offered PSD scholarships.

Murugesan said the government would merely have to increase the number of scholarships, adding that this would also be in keeping with the large number of non-Malay students who had obtained excellent results.

Yesterday, Bernama quoted MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan as saying the government should allocate, on an annual basis, 250 PSD scholarships for Indians.

He said out of the 900 PSD scholarships for non-Bumiputeras, Indians initially received 34, which was then increased to 70.