'All top scorers will have a place', says Higher Education Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Every student with 10As and above will get a place in matriculation or public university foundation programmes.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir gave his assurance that there are “sufficient places” in both programmes to cater to all top scorers.

“We will make sure everybody is given a place,” he told reporters after speaking at the Concorde Club meeting on Monday (July 1).

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023 candidates who scored 10As and above can appeal to enter into matriculation or public university foundation programmes, he added.

He said there are counters opened at the ministry’s lobby to handle these appeals.

Zambry said one of the issues discussed during the meeting was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on Sunday (June 30) that all SPM students who scored 10As and above will get a place in the matriculation programme regardless of background.

The Prime Minister said the decision was reached after a Cabinet meeting on Friday (June 28).

"All of our children, when I say children, I mean Malay, Chinese, Indian, Dayak, Kadazan and all without exception.

"If our children scored 10As and above or obtained excellent results, without any exception, they will get a place. This is an assurance from the government.

"As such, the issue of race should no longer arise," he said during his speech at the closing of the National Training Week 2024 at Bukit Jalil on Sunday (June 30).

Zambry said the Prime Minister had informed the Higher Education Ministry to assess the situation to ensure these excellent students get a place in public universities that accept SPM leavers.

“The Higher Education Ministry and the Education Ministry will be working closely in order to identify these 10A students and we will work closely to provide necessary information for their respective placements either in matriculation or in the (public) university’s foundation programmes,” he added.

The Concorde Club is an informal group of editors and senior journalists meeting with politicians and key policymakers.

Previous guests of the Concorde Club, led by Star Media Group advisor and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, include Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and former MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.