PETALING JAYA: The sharp rise in foreign student enrolment at Malaysia’s public universities is outpacing that of local students, raising red flags about allocation of placements, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president sounded the warning while highlighting statistics from a recent study by the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap), MCA’s research think-tank, which revealed a worrying trend.
He raised concerns that the growing preference for international admissions could be edging out deserving Malaysians from opportunities in taxpayer-funded institutions.
“I am not against the intake of international students.
“However, when their enrolment seems to be replacing spots meant for Malaysian students, it becomes an issue that needs addressing.
“We must ensure a balance that respects the educational needs of our own creme de la creme,” he told reporters here yesterday.
According to Insap, the number of Malaysian students enrolling in public universities saw a modest increase from 2018 to 2024.
Specifically, enrolment grew from 172,719 students in 2018 to 191,450 students in 2024.
This represents a total increase of 10.8%, which corresponds to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just 1.73% per year – a relatively slow rate of growth.
Dr Wee: ‘Our education system should be a platform for social mobility, allowing children from underprivileged families to achieve higher education.’ — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
In stark contrast, the enrolment of non-Malaysian students during the same period saw a significant rise, from 10,003 students in 2018 to 19,731 students in 2024.
This considerable jump reflects a total increase of 97.3%, with a CAGR of 11.99% per year.
“This indicates that the rate at which non-Malaysian students are being admitted to public universities is accelerating at a much faster pace compared to their Malaysian counterparts,” said Dr Wee.
He also expressed concern over the use of open channels by public universities for student admissions, mostly due to insufficient funding.
“Almost every public university has adopted this method under various names. While universities need adequate funds for development, we must not allow financial capability to become the primary criterion for entry,” he said.
MCA has received hundreds of complaints about bright and deserving students being rejected from public university placement under Malaysia’s centralised university admission system (UPUOnline) but offered via the open channel of their universities.
Dr Wee emphasised the importance of maintaining the fundamental principles of public universities, which should focus on academic excellence and social mobility.
“Regardless of their background, students who demonstrate exceptional capabilities should be given the opportunity to succeed,” he said.
“We must not let financial incentives or international rankings overshadow the fundamental role of our universities – to nurture and develop our brightest minds for the future.”
Dr Wee has also called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to examine these practices and ensure that the admission policies remain true to their original objectives.
“Our public universities were built with taxpayers’ money, and their fees should not be higher than those of private institutions.
“The government must ensure that universities are adequately funded so they don’t have to resort to selling placements,” he added, highlighting the importance of prioritising Malaysian students while welcoming internationalisation.
“We must strike a balance that allows our universities to thrive globally while ensuring that Malaysian students are not left behind.”
Calling for a holistic approach to address these issues, Dr Wee reiterated the need for strategic policy adjustments to ensure equitable access to higher education for all Malaysians.
“Our education system should be a platform for social mobility, allowing children from underprivileged families to achieve higher education.
“We must not forget it was the original objective of establishing public universities,” he said.
