The future of education for the Malay and Bumiputera communities cannot depend on quotas alone, but must instead focus on building the ability of individuals to succeed independently, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
He said the success of the communities should be measured not simply by how many students enter university, but by how many go on to master critical fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), create new technologies and own intellectual property.
“The measure is not simply how many enter university, but how many are able to think, master STEM, build global companies and lead world-class institutions,” he said when officiating the 2026 Malay Education Convention here on Tuesday.
Zambry said the country’s education ecosystem must therefore shift from merely providing access to improving quality, from qualifications to competencies, from employment to entrepreneurship, and from using technology to owning it.
He also said Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) should become a main pathway for developing the country’s talent, rather than being viewed as a second-choice option.
According to Zambry, strengthening TVET would help produce more highly skilled technicians and problem-solvers capable of meeting the demands of a changing economy.
On the narrative surrounding Bumiputera dependence, he said affirmative action policies remained relevant as long as structural imbalances persisted.
However, he stressed that the ultimate objective should be empowerment, excellence and self-reliance.
“Malay and Bumiputera education cannot forever be built around the narrative… we need help because we are weak.
“The narrative for the future must be… we are given opportunities to become strong, and once we are strong, we can stand on our own, lead and help others,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Zambry stressed the importance of mastering Bahasa Melayu as a language of knowledge and identity, while English and other languages should serve as bridges for Malaysians to compete globally.
He also emphasised that the pursuit of global excellence must not come at the expense of integrity.
“In pursuing global excellence, we cannot lose our soul. Education must produce people who are intelligent but, at the same time, possess character, identity, integrity and moral courage,” he said.
The convention, which continues the Bumiputera Education Congress held on May 1, will conclude with a comprehensive resolution, Zambry said.
He added that the resolution would be submitted to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the government to consider for further policy action.
