An STPM graduate recently shared his frustration of being rejected by six universities and ending up placed in a Management course instead.
Despite two tough years of STPM, he pulled through with a perfect 4.0 CGPA, straight As, a 9.9/10 co-curricular score, and an outstanding 99.90% merit score.
“The candidate was offered based on merit and programme preference”
Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has since picked up the issue, urging for reforms in Malaysia’s public university admission system.
“If we don’t keep these talents, Singapore and others will gladly take them. In the end, it’ll be Malaysia’s loss,” he said.
MCA President, Wee Ka Siong
In response, the Department of Higher Education (JPT) explained that the selection process isn’t just about grades, but also takes into account merit scores, meeting general and specific programme requirements, interviews or tests (if needed), available spots, and applicants’ course preferences.
They added that while the candidate did score a perfect 4.00 CGPA in STPM and 9.90 in co-curriculars (a total merit score of 99.90%), his rankings for his chosen universities were still way beyond the limited slots available:
- 1,129 for UM with 85 seats
- 1,724 for UPM with 100 seats
- 1,288 for UUM with 350 seats
- 1,062 for UTM with 55 seats
Because of this, JPT said, the student was offered a place based on merit and programme preference, just like every other applicant.
“An unfair accusation that could damage the Ministry’s reputation”
UMNO Youth Chief Dr Akmal Saleh has also shared his thoughts on the issue, calling on the MCA president to apologise for his remarks.
“When I first read the YB’s statement, I also felt bad and wondered why a student with such good results didn’t get the offer he wanted. But the truth is, it’s not that he isn’t smart, he is, but there are many others who are even smarter and more qualified,” his statement read.
Dr Akmal Saleh
He added that while the student scored 99.9% in merit, plenty of others had a perfect 100%, and places at the said university are limited.
“So when the YB said the system is broken, I felt that was an unfair accusation that damages the Ministry of Higher Education’s (MOHE) reputation. We urge the YB to apologise, because I believe the ministry’s civil servants have done their jobs fairly and without prejudice, in line with the values of our civil service.”
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