Mca Youth Wants Rci On Public Uni Admissions Zaid Flags Upu Opacity

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MCA Youth and former law minister Zaid Ibrahim have separately voiced alarm over flaws in Malaysia’s university admissions system, citing the case of top STPM scorer Edward Wong as emblematic of deeper problems.
MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon said the “commercialisation” of student admissions in public universities was undermining merit and equity in higher education.
He urged the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate direct admission schemes, which he claimed now make up as much as 40 percent of intakes.
“Direct admission routes are now widespread, as much as 40 percent of intakes, disproportionately disadvantaging students from M40 and B40 backgrounds.
“Without more places overall, the expansion of direct admissions means fewer opportunities through UPU,” Ling said, referring to the centralised public university admissions system, through which students submit their applications.
“Given the growing controversy, we reiterate the party’s call for an RCI to examine how commercial admissions have eroded UPU’s quotas and strayed from the original mission of public universities: to cultivate talent, serve all Malaysians fairly, and support the nation’s progress,” he added.
MCA Youth chief Ling Tian SoonLing pointed to Universiti Malaya’s (UM) accounting programme as an example of the system’s opacity.
He said that while the Higher Education Ministry announced 85 available places, the university later clarified the total intake could reach 150-160, once direct entry was factored in.
“The conflicting figures highlight a troubling lack of coordination and transparency,” Ling said, adding that other public universities had adopted similar practices.
He said that the different figures presented by the ministry and the university suggest a troubling lack of coordination and transparency, and that it is reasonable for the public to worry that commercial initiatives may be pervading too rapidly, perhaps beyond the ministry’s control.
“Universities like Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia have similar direct entry schemes, allowing students to bypass UPU by paying higher fees.
“Wong’s case - rejected by UPU but offered a place for over RM80,000, raises serious questions about equity,” he added.
Edward WongOn Sept 9, Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) claimed that Wong was offered admission into UM, but only through its controversial direct intake system “Satu”, which costs “up to 10 times higher.”
“UM states direct admission occurs only after UPU appeals and that candidates are of comparable quality.
“This begs the question: if students are of equal merit, why are some admitted through UPU and others only by paying? Who decides, and on what basis?” Ling questioned further.
Systemic weaknesses
Meanwhile, Zaid focused on what he called the “systemic weaknesses” of UPU. He said the system was “opaque” because applicants were not provided with a breakdown of how their results, co-curricular records, socioeconomic background, or quota allocations were weighed in decisions.
“Without external audits (by independent education bodies), and appeals processes with published criteria, it is impossible to verify that selection is based on merit and not arbitrary discretion,” Zaid said on X.
Zaid IbrahimHe argued that while the government claimed to balance merit and affirmative action, the system often sidelined high-achieving non-Malay students in favour of less qualified applicants.
‘MCA, other component parties complicit’
This, he said, fostered resentment and drove talent abroad. He also criticised non-Malay parties, particularly MCA and DAP, as well as Malay-based parties like Umno, over the issue, and accused MCA of being complicit.
“But non-Malay political parties, including DAP when in opposition, would make noise about this unfairness but keep mum when in government.
“MCA now is angry and making loud noises, but will not leave this government. So, how do they expect the system to change? By remaining in government, MCA (and other component parties) are complicit.
“The same could be said of Umno and other Malay-based parties. Rather than reforming the system to reward merit while still helping the disadvantaged, they prefer to keep selective privilege intact,” Zaid added.
Zaid reminded that true fairness cannot be selective and must apply equally across communities.
“The UPU system is not properly checked, not independently audited, and not objective. That's why cases like Wong’s will continue until political parties move from a race-based system to one where selection is on merit plus-need model; one that rewards achievement but also helps disadvantaged students of all races,” he added.
Previously, MCA president Wee Ka Siong raised concerns about UM potentially prioritising profits, after it allegedly issued a direct intake offer to Wong months before he received confirmation on his rejected UPU application.
The MP lamented that while the direct intake offer proved Wong was qualified for the course, the UPU system determined that Wong did not make the cut.
Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir has since stressed that higher education should not be politicised, emphasising that students encountering issues in the university admission process have proper avenues, including appeals, to resolve the matter.
Zambry also said his ministry remains open to addressing any shortcomings in the current admission process, which is continuously being improved. - Mkini

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