PETALING JAYA: The controversy surrounding the 30% bumiputra equity ownership condition for tuition centres has taken a new turn, with two ministries issuing conflicting statements on the matter.
While the Education Ministry announced earlier this week that the equity requirement will no longer apply, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) clarified that the policy falls outside its jurisdiction.
Miti stated that the policy falls under the purview of the Economy Ministry via the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), adding that it was not informed of any decision to revise ownership requirements for private educational institutions under the Education Ministry.
“Miti hopes this explanation clarifies the ministry’s role so that public information remains accurate and clear,” it said in a statement yesterday.
The Education Ministry said on Monday that the requirement for private limited companies operating private educational institutions to have at least 30% bumiputra equity ownership would no longer apply.
It said that the decision allegedly followed discussions with Miti to ensure that ownership requirements for private educational institutions were in line with the education sector’s current needs.
“The Education Ministry appreciates the contributions of all private education institution operators and will continue to work with all parties in the interest of Malaysian students,” the ministry said in its statement.
On Sunday, the ministry said it had taken note of the various views raised regarding the requirements and would propose a review of the ownership structure requirements for tuition centres at the Cabinet meeting.
The issue came under renewed scrutiny after Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung raised it last week.
Meanwhile, MCA Beliawanis national chairman Ivone Low Yi Wen said the conflicting statements by the Education Ministry and Miti had caused anxiety among private education stakeholders.
She questioned how the Education Ministry could cite discussions with Miti when the latter said it had no information on the matter.
“Both ministers need to step up, rectify these conflicting accounts, and set the record straight once and for all,” she said.
