Unless there is a valid reason, the Education Ministry's new restriction disqualifying the use of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) forecast results must be withdrawn, said Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming.

“I have not seen any circular issued by the ministry to private colleges and universities announcing this decision,” Ong said in a statement today, adding there have been no prior reports given by the ministry related to the policy change.

Yesterday, English daily The Star reported the ministry announcing that SPM forecast results would not be accepted for admission into private higher education institutions.

This has shocked the private education industry which has been relying on admissions based on forecast results for over 30 years.

Ong ( right ) said the ministry is unfairly punishing students who have preplanned their overseas education.

“The academic calendar of these pre-university and foundation programmes are planned with the intake dates of overseas universities in mind,” he said, stressing that a majority of such students usually enrol in higher institutions in January.

MIC: Ministry explanation in order

MIC national Youth chief C Sivarraajh echoed Ong's urging, saying in a separate statement that the students and parents deserve a reasonable explanation from the ministry.

He said the ministry must be more “open and transparent” and that such major decisions should only be implemented in stages.

“We believe the ministry should give at least three to five years of advance notice and implement it in stages,” Sivarraajh ( left ) said.

This, he added, is to ensure that students, teachers and parents are not caught off-guard by the sudden decision.

“The ministry should rethink and positively review its decision, as it will have a big impact on the students and their future,” said Sivarraajh.

Form Five students sit for their SPM examinations sometime in November, and the official results will be released at the end of the following March.