Police probing Umany over call to abolish matriculation

Police are investigating Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth’s (Umany) call for the government to abolish the matriculation system and use STPM results as the sole benchmark for entry into public universities.

In a statement today, the police’s federal Criminal Investigation Department chief, M Kumar, said five police reports have been lodged against the students’ union over the remark.

“The police confirm that they received a police report on Sept 12, 2025, regarding a statement made by Umany through its president, Tang Yi Ze, which was published by the online news portal Malaysiakini.

“The statement was found to have the potential to create negative perceptions of the national education system, incite public dissatisfaction, and cause public anxiety.

“The case is being investigated under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. To date, four additional police reports have been received from parties dissatisfied with the statement.

Section 505(b) of the Penal Code penalises statements deemed conducive to public mischief, made with intent to cause, or which are likely to cause, fear or alarm among the public. The penalty is imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.

Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 concerns the improper use of network facilities or services. The penalty is a fine not exceeding RM500,000, imprisonment for a term of up to two years, or both.

A fairer, more transparent system

On Sept 13, Umany apologised for an initial proposal to abolish the matriculation system, claiming it chose the wrong term to suggest a merger with the STPM examination.

It also stressed that its proposal to implement an “integrated examination system” has no connection to racial issues, but is rooted in the need for a fairer and more transparent university admissions process.

“The real purpose is to improve the current system so it becomes fairer and more transparent, thereby addressing the root causes of inequality in student admissions to universities.

“Politicians and parties should not manipulate this matter into a racial issue,” the student group said.

On Sept 12, Umany submitted a memorandum to the Higher Education Ministry highlighting the proposal as the most effective way to address concerns over admission quotas.

The memorandum was submitted in response to media reports on STPM leaver Edward Wong, who scored a 4.0 CGPA in the examination and aspired to be an accountant, only to be rejected by six public universities.

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