DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook has described the opposition’s criticism of efforts to expand access to higher education for Malaysians as “strange”.
He said the Higher Education Ministry’s (KPT) decision to allow Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) graduates into selected programmes at public higher education institutions (IPTA) was part of the government’s commitment to ensuring a more inclusive education system.
Anthony said the move was aimed at creating more opportunities for students from education systems outside the Education Ministry (KPM).
“This is the government’s commitment to providing pathways for graduates from education systems outside KPM to further their studies at IPTA. It is not only for UEC holders, but tahfiz certificate holders as well.
“This initiative actually expands access for Malaysians to obtain higher education, and that is something very positive for the nation’s human capital development,” he said.
He was speaking at a press conference after officiating the Segambut Utara railway station in Kuala Lumpur today.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud.
On Thursday, media reports stated that KPT had announced opportunities for graduates from tahfiz schools or institutions, Chinese Independent High Schools (SMPC), and UEC holders to pursue selected programmes at IPTA.
For SMPC and UEC graduates, the identified programmes include Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language Studies with Honours, Bachelor of Chinese Language and Linguistics, Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies, and Bachelor of Chinese Language with Education.
For graduates from tahfiz schools and institutions, the programmes include Diploma and Bachelor’s degrees in Dakwah, Al-Quran and As-Sunnah studies, Tahfiz Education, and Islamic Studies (Dakwah).
According to KPT, the decision was made during a Cabinet meeting that reviewed admission pathways for students from education systems outside the national stream into public universities.
However, the move sparked debate after some parties raised concerns that expanding admission pathways could affect opportunities for Malay and Bumiputera students in IPTA.
Anthony also expressed disappointment over what he described as attempts by the opposition to politicise the initiative, including raising concerns over education opportunities.
“I find it strange why the opposition is against this. They seem to oppose efforts to give Malaysians better access to education.
“We want to educate our children and give them better opportunities, but the opposition only knows how to object without basis.
“Their actions indirectly deny our children the right to pursue higher education,” he said.