MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong delivering his opening speech during the Perak MCA Convention at the Red Crescent Hall in Ipoh on Saturday (Oct 11).
IPOH: More placements should be offered for medicine-related and engineering courses in public universities, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said increasing the number of spots would give more STPM graduates the opportunity to pursue these critical fields.
While there is growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI), Dr Wee said engineering disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, chemical and electronic engineering remain equally important.
“There is also a need to expand placements for medicine and pharmacy courses. The key issue is ensuring students have sufficient opportunities and guaranteed access to these programmes,” he said when opening the Perak MCA convention here yesterday.
Dr Wee and several other MPs have consistently called for a review of the UPU system for entry into public universities, saying that top students from STPM and other streams are often left out of the courses of their choice.
The MPs stressed that public universities must not stray from their core responsibility of promoting social mobility.
During the tabling of Budget 2026, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced 1,500 additional placements at public universities for degree programmes across 10 key fields, including law, economics and AI, to allow more STPM graduates to pursue higher education.
Dr Wee said he would review the full Budget 2026 document in detail before raising further suggestions in Parliament.
“The Budget is not just about the Prime Minister’s speech. The full document contains crucial implementation details that we must study to see whether it truly addresses the people’s needs,” he said.
Separately, Dr Wee urged MCA Youth members to be more proactive and outspoken.
“Have the courage to speak up, but do so with reason. Don’t wait too long. If you respond only 24 hours after an issue goes viral, it may already be too late and irrelevant.
“At the very least, offer constructive feedback and suggestions that the government can consider,” he said.
Also present were deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon, vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng and Wanita MCA chairman Datuk Wong You Fong.
