PETALING JAYA: The fight to allow students with A- grades into the matriculation programme is not about “playing politics” but about securing the future of children and ensuring fairness, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
"This is not about race because we are fighting for all who are affected by the 'unfair policy' as education policies should not be changed at will, as our children's future is too important.
"Some DAP ministers have accused me of playing politics over this issue.
"Let me be clear, this is not about politics. It's about fairness for students and their families. It's about meritocracy and our children's future," said the MCA president on Facebook on Thursday (June 5).
Dr Wee said DAP had lauded the Prime Minister last year when he announced that SPM candidates who scored 10As would receive automatic entry into matriculation, calling it a bold move.
"But this year, without any public announcement, a circular dated April 30 stated that only A+ and A were considered as 'Grade A'.
"Why was this done silently, after students had already taken their exams and received their results.
"Where is the transparency and good governance DAP promised?" he asked.
The Ayer Hitam MP said students had worked hard based on last year's criteria and now the goalposts had shifted, which he described as unfair.
"If a policy is changed, it should be announced clearly, before students take the exam, not after," he added.
Dr Wee said MCA had received hundreds of appeals from students and parents who were confused and heartbroken.
"Last year A- was excellent, this year suddenly it's not.
"We need solutions, not finger-pointing as the people deserve an answer," he added.
Meanwhile, Dr Wee also said that claims that Utar and TAR-UMT also did not consider A- for their 100% scholarships for SPM students were simply inaccurate and wild accusations.
He said the terms of offer for scholarships by Utar and TAR-UMT had been set since 2021, which is based on merit automatically.
The difference between TAR-UMT, Utar and the Education Minstry, he said, is that there were no sudden changes to the scholarship policy.
“If the Education Ministry had announced earlier that A- was not in the A category for automatic matriculation placement offers, all those high-achieving students, MCA and Malaysians would not have been angry and accepted it.
“But when the issue is raised, I am accused of politicising it, when I am only representing the voices of the students and their parents.
“This is not about playing politics, it is about the people’s trust,” he said.
