Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) President Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong took to Facebook to criticise the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) decision to exclude A- grades from being counted as A.
He raised the issue in a video addressing the automatic offer for entry into the matriculation programme for the 2025/2026 session.
Only students with A+ and A grades qualify for the programme
Ka Siong added that the Ministry had issued a circular stating that only Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students who achieved 10As with A+ and A grades would qualify for the offer.
He also pointed out that, to his knowledge, no other country separates A- from the A+ and A categories, noting that all three distinctions have long been internationally recognised as marks of excellence.
Meanwhile, MCA National Youth Deputy Chairman Mike Chong weighed in on the issue, urging DAP’s Astaka State Assemblyman, Ng Thien Yeong, to be held accountable for defending the recent changes to the matriculation policy.
“His actions are completely unacceptable”
According to the statement, Thien Yeong responded to the MCA President’s criticism by bringing up Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT)’s scholarship policy in an attempt to undermine MCA’s stance.
Mike slams Thien Yeong’s move, noting that using TAR UMT in this way, as a tool to justify a policy that has disappointed many hopeful students, is highly inappropriate.
“MCA was the one that founded TAR UMT and has consistently provided scholarships to high-achieving students, with the clear goal of promoting educational advancement and expanding access to higher education, especially for Chinese youth. DAP, on the other hand, hasn’t even established a single kindergarten. Yet Ng Thien Yeong sees fit to criticise both MCA and TAR UMT,” he said.
“DAP needs to stop making excuses”
Mike also pointed out that Thien Yeong’s defence of the Education Ministry has led him to make misleading statements.
“According to TAR UMT’s scholarship policy for diploma and foundation programmes, students with eight or more A grades (including A+ and A) qualify for a full tuition waiver, while those with eight or more A grades including A-, A, and A+ get a 50% waiver. So how can Thien Yeong claim that TAR UMT doesn’t treat an A- as an A?” Mike questioned.
He went on to highlight that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had promised last year that students with 10 As would be guaranteed a place in the Matriculation Programme. Yet, after this year’s SPM results, the government suddenly changed the rules to exclude A- grades.
“If they have any integrity, they should put themselves in the students’ shoes. Supporting those in power while ignoring this issue isn’t leadership, it’s a betrayal of the Malaysians they claim to represent,” he concluded.
You can watch the full video down below:
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