PUTRAJAYA: International students make up only 12.6% of total enrolment in public and private higher education institutions in Malaysia as of Dec 31, 2025, according to the Higher Education Ministry.
According to the ministry, data shows total enrolment at 1,264,541 students, comprising 159,138 international students (12.6%) and 1,105,403 Malaysian students (87.4%).
The ministry was responding to a statement by Jitra assemblyman Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah, who claimed that international student admissions to public universities had reduced opportunities for local students.
"The claim is unfounded, misleading and not reflective of the reality of the higher education system.
"In public universities, total enrolment stands at 634,706 students, of whom 56,565 (8.9%) are international students and 578,141 (91.1%) are Malaysians," the ministry said in a statement on Sunday (July 5).
By level of study, undergraduate programmes account for 520,105 students, including 502,212 Malaysians (96.56%) and 17,893 international students (3.44%).
At postgraduate level, enrolment totals 114,601 students, comprising 75,929 Malaysians (66.26%) and 38,672 international students (33.74%).
The ministry said the figures show that most international students are enrolled at postgraduate level and are not competing for undergraduate places with SPM, STPM, matriculation or diploma holders.
On claims that international students at the five Research Universities - Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, are "taking away" local places, the ministry said total enrolment at these institutions is 186,824 students.
Of this, 145,727 (78%) are local students and 41,097 (22%) are international students.
It said this aligns with the role of Research Universities, which focus on research, innovation, publications and international collaboration, where the presence of international students is part of strengthening the research ecosystem.
The ministry added that Malaysia remains a preferred destination for international students, including 32,549 from China, reflecting the country's standing alongside other major destinations such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.
It said Malaysia's appeal lies in the quality of its higher education system, lower costs of study and living, a peaceful environment, a multicultural society and the widespread use of English in education.
The ministry added that protecting local students' access to education remains the government's priority, while continuing to advance the internationalisation of higher education to ensure Malaysian institutions remain competitive and globally recognised. – Bernama
