The DAP has mooted a formula which it believes can settle the annual issue of top students unable to gain entry into their preferred courses in university.

NONE According to its Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming ( left, in photo ), this problem can be solved by implementing the following:

  • allowing straight-A students automatic admission to his or her chosen course;
  • and providing scholarships to the top five percent of students who qualify for tertiary education, be it through STPM or matriculation, regardless of background.

"This was a problem when I was a student in Universiti Malaya... It's a chronic problem, and it is time we finally come up with a mechanism to settle it once and for all," Nga told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

'Meritocracy not a factor'

Nga said that five percent would only represent about 2,000 students qualifying for tertiary education.

It is unclear, he said, how many of the 2,000-odd students have not been able to get into a course of their choosing, or was denied a scholarship.

"But we know there are 108 who have complained to MCA. I believe there are hundreds in this situation," he said.

He added that it cannot be based on meritocracy as there are students who scored straight As who had been completely rejected from public universities.

"There are students crying about it. How would you feel if this was your child? We shall not let them cry anymore," he said.

He said a failure to rectify the situation would only lead to severe brain drain to the benefit of our closest neighbour Singapore.

"Singapore is laughing. They are waiting to take our talents and have even set up a talent discovery programme in Malaysia... (while) we spend millions on TalentCorp to attract talents back home," he said.