KUCHING: Kuching Member of Parliament Dr Kevin Yii today suggested that the method of admission to the Malaysian Matriculation Programme be revamped with emphasis on merit and needs without sacrificing the opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
“Based on the policy of the previous government, matriculation is primarily reserved for Bumiputera students, with approximately 10 per cent of the spots going to non-Bumiputeras.
“Under the new Pakatan Harapan administration, 60 per cent of matriculation intake has been reserved for the B40 community and there is even a special route consideration for the Orang Asal of Sabah and Sarawak.
“On top of that, this year’s intake also saw a slight increase in the Chinese students intake with 1171 for this 2018 batch, compared to 982 in 2015, 1104 in 2016 and 903 in 2017. This is a good step forward but more efforts should be made to also make sure the intake process is transparent so it will not be abused and that deserving students will benefit from it,” he said in a press statement.
Yii revealed that since the announcement of the new intake for the matriculation programme for SPM leavers, he had received some complaints. Some applicants, he said, were not chosen even though they achieved good results like 10As in the SPM.
“This has been a long-standing issue from year to year. I understand that the places are limited and matriculation is not the only path to public universities but nowadays, this programme is more sought-after since it is an extremely cost-effective route to tertiary education.
“Students only need to pay a small registration fee while the rest of the costs are borne by the Malaysian government.
“Matriculation students also receive an allowance every semester for their use,” he said.
Yii added he had relayed the complaints to the Education Minister.
“Deputy Education Minister, Teo Nie Ching is meeting the matriculation board today itself to go through the whole process and to better understand the issue. I was also informed that this issue will be brought up in the next Cabinet meeting for discussions and to look for a way forward.
“I would like to encourage those who achieved good results and applied but did not obtain a place in matriculation to appeal the decision and hopefully, a review can be done or at least a proper explanation will be given.”
Yii pointed out that students who opted for matriculation would pursue their degrees with local public institutions.
“The Malaysian Matriculation Programme is also recognised by several foreign universities such as those from Australia, United Kingdom, Indonesia, New Zealand and several other Commonwealth countries,” he said.
