UTAR: A- is still an A

The Star

2 days ago

PETALING JAYA: The not-for-profit Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), founded by MCA, has never altered its scholarship policies to exclude students with A- grades, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).
Dr Wee said the scholarship criteria at UTAR have remained consistent since 2021 and are based entirely on merit.
According to UTAR's website, the university offers tuition fee scholarships of up to 100% to all Malaysian students with 5As and above in SPM, or 4As and above in O-Level, without any repayment obligation to the university.
Students who scored 8As (A+ and A only) in SPM or 8As in O-Level are eligible for a 100% tuition fee scholarship, while those with 8As (including A+, A, and A-) in SPM or 7As in O-Level can receive a 50% scholarship.
'UTAR does not make abrupt changes to its scholarship policies,' said Dr Wee, refuting claims that applicants with A- grades are no longer considered.
Dr Wee also addres­sed the broader debate on matriculation entry, stressing that the push to include students with A- grades is not political, but a matter of fairness and safeguarding the future of young Malaysians.
'This is not about race. We are fighting for all who are affected by the unfair policy. Education policies should not be changed arbitrarily, as our children's future is too important,' he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
He criticised DAP ministers who accused him of politicising the issue, saying the real concern lies in inconsistent policy changes.
Dr Wee said DAP had praised the Prime Minister last year when he announced that SPM students who scored 10As would receive automatic entry into matriculation, calling it a bold move.
'But this year, without any public announcement, a circular dated April 30 stated that only A+ and A are recognised as 'Grade A'.
'Why the silent change? This came after students had already sat for their exams and received their results. Where is the transparency and good governance DAP promised?' he asked.
The Ayer Hitam MP said students had prepared based on last year's criteria, only to find the goalposts had shifted, a move he described as unfair.
'If a policy is going to change, it should be made clear before the exams are taken, not after,' he said.
He added that MCA has received hundreds of appeals from students and parents who are confused and disheartened by the change.
'Last year, an A- was considered excellent. This year, suddenly it's not. We need solutions, not finger-pointing. The people deserve clear answers,' he said.