'Reckless': Bersatu leader condemns call to scrap matriculation

Summary

• Bersatu students’ bureau chief Ameer Hazeem Zaky criticises the Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth over calling for the matriculation programme to be cancelled.

• On the call for STPM results to be used as the sole benchmark for entry into public universities, he insists it’s unfair to say STPM is superior to matriculation.

The Bersatu students’ bureau criticised Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany), which called to abolish the matriculation programme and establish STPM results as the sole benchmark for entry into public universities.

Its chief Ameer Hazeem Zaky said it was a “reckless idea” and that it was suggested without conducting a prior investigation.

He also said it was unfair to deem STPM as superior to matriculation, adding that the centralised public university admissions system (UPU) has applied a meritocracy system for over two decades.

“Their (Umany’s) premise that a quota system is still being used for university admissions is an argument that is no longer valid, as the current system has been based on meritocracy since 2002.

“Umany should be aware of this, especially since the individual who issued the media statement is himself a graduate from Penang Matriculation College,” Ameer (above) said in a statement today.

In justifying his calls yesterday, Umany president Tang Yi Ze said STPM’s syllabus was proven to be better as it is more challenging and recognised internationally.

Tang said Umany had also approached the Higher Education Ministry on the alleged injustice in the UPU.

The proposal was met by widespread criticism, including from Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Noor Azuan Abu Osman, who distanced the institution from the group and called for more responsibility when exercising freedom of speech.

‘More critical, mature discussions needed’

While acknowledging the plight of Edward Wong, an STPM student who failed to gain entry into UM despite obtaining a 4.0 CGPA, Ameer said the matter should not be politicised with superficial recommendations.

“It should be viewed from an objective standpoint, where meritocracy plays a crucial role in student admission by taking into account both academic achievements and extracurricular involvement comprehensively.

“We hope that Umany or anyone else should not polemicise the issue of public universities with such superficial recommendations.

“Instead, they should engage in more critical and mature discussions on how the meritocracy system can be improved,” he added.

Ameer also said he would be eager to participate in discussions and debates with relevant parties to uplift the future of Malaysian students.

On Sept 8, Wong’s plight received widespread attention after he said that six universities had rejected his applications.

He told reporters that he hoped to pursue his accounting degree at UM, where his sister recently graduated from.

“The reality is disappointing. Some doubt my abilities, some don’t believe in me, and some say they can’t help.

“How excellent do we need to be to choose (the course of study we desire)?” he asked, adding that he would continue to appeal.

MP SPEAKS | Time for a fair university admission system

Focus on solutions, not scapegoats, DAP Youth scoffs at Akmal

'Move resources to university courses with higher demand'

Umno slams Umany's call to end matriculation while UM distances itself