Anwar govt promises pre-U spots for high-achieving non-Malays, but racial quotas remain

KUALA LUMPUR –  Malaysia’s move to guarantee outstanding non-Bumiputera students spots in a public pre-university programme has been panned by some as a “meaningless” gesture that does not substantively address racial quotas in the country’s education system.

The government has said it will now allow all students who score 10 As or more in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams – equivalent to Singapore’s GCE O levels – to enter the matriculation programme to prepare them for university, regardless of race.

The matriculation programme, which takes one or or two years to complete and is akin to pre-university education in Singapore, is much sought after as those on it are guaranteed places in Malaysia’s public universities.

It is a much cheaper option for parents than sending their children to private local universities or funding their studies abroad.

“If our children scored 10 As or more, or obtained excellent results, without any exception, they will get a place. This is an assurance from the government,” said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on June 30.

“This bold decision does not imply that we have solved the issue of fairness in education. There must be a willingness from the ministry, the private sector, non-governmental organisations, scholars and academia to accept the reality that much more needs to be done to ensure opportunities for children.

“(But) we hope this helps resolve one problem and we do not want this to continue as a racial issue,” he said at an education event.

The matriculation colleges currently reserve 90 per cent of the 40,000 spots in the programme per intake for Bumiputeras, categorised as Malays and other indigenous ethnic groups. The remaining 10 per cent, or 4,000 spots, are open to non-Bumiputeras, who largely comprise ethnic Chinese and Indians.

The race-based education quota is a legacy of Malaysia’s affirmative-action policy that was introduced in 1971 and prioritises Bumiputeras for government jobs, housing and university spots.

Pre-school teacher Christina Lee, 47, said her daughter scored 10 As in the SPM in 2023 but did not get a place in matriculation this year. She has appealed to the Ministry of Education (MOE).

“Many of her classmates also did not get into matriculation. I look forward to the decision for the appeal on July 5,” she told The Straits Times.

Her 18-year-old daughter, who requested anonymity as she is still awaiting the results of several applications, said that she did not expect to get a spot as there is stiff competition for the matriculation programme. She has applied for other programmes and scholarships, including one to study abroad.

Datuk Seri Anwar’s announcement on June 30 was hailed by some as a positive development to promote meritocracy. But detractors say it does not resolve the issue of racial discrimination in the education system.

Rights group Lawyers for Liberty said the move is “meaningless” and will not benefit most students.

Given that 10 per cent, or 4,000 spots, are already open to non-Bumiputeras, those who achieved 10 As would already have secured a place, said the group’s director, Mr Zaid Malek, who spoke to local media.

“And what about outstanding non-Bumiputra students who get nine As, eight As or seven As?” he asked. “Anwar’s announcement leaves them out in the cold.”

He said in a statement on July 2: “This then begs the question as to how this announcement remedies or ameliorates the unjust quota system that is now existing.

“Stating that non-bumiputeras who excel are eligible for matriculation is not novel; that is the status quo.”

According to Malaysia’s MOE, 11,713 candidates scored As for all the subjects they took in SPM 2023, way below the total 40,000 spots available in the matriculation colleges. No further details have been made available on the number of students who scored at least 10 As.

Parent Action Group for Education (Page) chairman Noor Azimah Rahim said there is nothing game-changing about the government guaranteeing spots in the matriculation programme for top scorers regardless of race.

“Based on (the exisiting) quota system, it is highly likely that outstanding students who apply for matriculation will already be ensured a place.” she told local media. “So the assurance that was given is all beautiful words to soothe the eyes and mind, and does not address the issue.” She added that most SPM students sit exams for nine subjects.

A day after the announcement, the government gave its assurance that the current Bumiputera quota system for the matriculation programme will remain unchanged.

Mr Anwar’s multi-racial Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition came into power following the 2018 and 2022 general elections. PH won support from the Chinese and Indian communities by promising widespread reforms, including creating a more level playing field for non-Bumiputeras.

Ethnic Chinese and Indians make up 22.6 per cent and 6.6 per cent of Malaysia’s 34 million population, respectively.

Senator Sivaraj Chandran, former youth chief of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), said he is concerned over Indian students being left behind as many of them take only nine SPM subjects.

“I strongly urge that a special quota of 2,500 places be allocated for Indian students in the matriculation programme. This is to ensure that Indian students are not sidelined and get an equal chance in higher education,” he said in a statement.

Malaysia has 17 colleges offering the matriculation programme. Students who are not given a place in the colleges will have to sit the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) – equivalent to Singapore’s GCE A levels – or a similar pre-university course before they can apply to a university degree course.

“It is an encouraging move, especially with many SPM top scorers expressing heartache about not getting placements over the years,” educationist and former Universiti Malaya professor T. Marimuthu told The Star news daily.

He said the Cabinet’s decision is a move towards meritocracy, ensuring the ablest and brightest will contribute to the country in the long term.