PETALING JAYA: The Putrajaya’s decision to retain direct entry into private medical degree programmes for eligible Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders is merely a return to the previous policy, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said the announcement should not be presented as a new breakthrough, as UEC holders who met the required grades had long been allowed to apply directly for the first year of medical programmes at private higher education institutions.
Government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil announced on Friday (Nov 13) that UEC holders who obtain at least a B4 in five prescribed subjects would remain eligible to apply directly for medical degree programmes at private institutions.
The prescribed subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics I, and Advanced Mathematics II or Advanced Mathematics.
Dr Wee said the Malaysian Medical Council’s (MMC) earlier revision of the entry requirements had caused uncertainty among UEC holders and private higher education institutions.
He said the revised rules, which were to take effect in 2027, would have required UEC holders to enrol in foundation programmes instead of entering the first year of a medical degree directly.
“Today’s government announcement is, in reality, merely a reinstatement of the previous requirements. It is certainly not a new policy,” said Dr Wee in a Facebook post on Friday (Nov 13).
He said the direct-entry route had been available under the previous Barisan Nasional administration for UEC holders who obtained the required grades.
Dr Wee said he was appointed to the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) board in 2007 by then higher education minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, and was aware that UEC holders with the required grades were eligible for direct entry into private medical degree programmes.
He called on the government to explain why the MMC had revised the entry requirements in the first place, and whether the decision had been approved by the Health Ministry.
“The MMC is chaired by the Health director-general. The government must explain why the requirements were changed, and whether the change had received the approval of the government, particularly the Health Ministry,” he said.
Fahmi said the Health Ministry, MMC and Higher Education Ministry would coordinate follow-up action on the matter.
Dr Wee also questioned the timing of the announcement, which came a day before polling day for the Melaka state election, claiming that the government was trying to portray the decision as a fresh move to widen higher education access for UEC holders.
