The Selangor government should not promise to admit students who are expelled from universities, including activists like the UM8 who are facing disciplinary action, said Gerakan Youth.

Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said this is because places in public universities are limited and should be confined to those who "really want to study".

"Admission to Unisel (Universiti Selangor) must be based on merit. Students who fail and are expelled from other public universities do not qualify.

"Maintain the standards. This is not a rubbish bin," he said in a Twitter posting.

He was referring to the offer from Selangor executive councillor in charge of education, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, to assist the Universiti Malaya activists get places at Selangor state universities if they are expelled.

The eight students are facing action for participating in an event featuring PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim on campus, which was not approved by the university.

Meanwhile, Tan said it is high time universities screened applicants to ensure that only those with merit and "interested to study" are given admission.

"(There are) limited places in local universities, but some of those (who are) given places (are) not interested in education and prefer politics. Waste of taxpayers' funds!" he tweeted.

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