Kuching: DAPSY Sarawak Treasurer Wong King Yii has urged the Federal Government to review both the university admission system and the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan waiver policy to ensure that all students who excel through merit receive the recognition and support they deserve.
Wong said this following the announcement made by the Federal Government to abolish the PTPTN waiver for private university graduates with first-class honours.
He described the move as “out of touch with reality”. He said the decision ignores the deep inequality within our education system and the harsh truth about social mobility in Malaysia.
“Not all students enter private universities by choice. Many are forced to do so because of the limited slots in public universities. A large number come from B40 and M40 families. Their decision to study privately is not one of privilege but of necessity,” he said in a statement.
Citing statistics shared by Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Wong highlighted the imbalance in university admissions, noting that 16% of matriculation students achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA compared to only 3.09% of STPM students. He added that in 2023, 97.6% of medical course placements went to matriculation students, leaving only 2.39% for STPM candidates.
“This disparity forces many bright students, denied a place in public universities, to seek opportunities in private institutions,” he said.
Wong argued that removing the PTPTN waiver deprives these students of upward mobility through education.
“While the government often speaks about nurturing talent, this policy does the opposite – it erects barriers before our best and brightest. When the government fails to support our students, we cannot fault them for seeking better prospects elsewhere.
“Must we wait until Singapore comes again to recruit our brightest minds before realising what we have lost?” he asked.
With the recent subsidy cuts expected to save RM15.5 billion annually, he said it is only fair that part of these funds be channelled to support PTPTN and reinstate the waiver for first-class graduates from private universities, especially those from B40 and M40 families.
“A fair and forward-looking policy must reward excellence, not punish it, regardless of whether a student studies in a public or private university.”
“These students have proven their excellence through hard work and determination, and they deserve recognition, not rejection.
“A fair and forward-looking policy must reward excellence, not punish it, regardless of
whether a student studies in a public or private university,” he said.
