Zambry refutes claims that Chinese students are limiting local access to public universities, insists Malaysian students remain priority
He said it is not true that the government is admitting Chinese nationals into foundation programmes of public universities at the expense of local students for the sake of profits.
'We have never compromised on the policies set by the Central University Admission Unit (UPU). The priority at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) is always Malaysian students, because IPTAs are meant to provide education for Malaysian children first.
'It is not true that we are denying local students their rights. We have never sacrificed the UPU-set quota,' he told reporters after opening the IEEE International Symposium on the Physical and Failure Analysis of Integrated Circuits (IPFA) 2025 at the Setia Spice Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas today.
He was responding to a statement made in Parliament yesterday by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who claimed that more students from China are gaining admission into public universities because they can afford it, compared to Malaysians.
Zambry said Malaysia hosts international students from more than 150 countries, including in private institutions of higher learning, in line with its internationalisation policy.
'They choose Malaysia because they trust our education system. Previously, they may have opted for Western countries, but due to increased geopolitical tensions and competition, they've turned to Malaysia instead,' he said.
He also described such allegations as causing unnecessary public anxiety and fuelling polemics that bring no benefit to the country.
As such, he urged anyone with questions on the matter, including Members of Parliament, to engage in direct discussions and seek constructive dialogue instead of politicising the issue in Parliament.
'I don't want to see the creation of polemics that only do harm. When we make baseless accusations, we stir up unnecessary concerns,' he said. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Guidelines on academic freedom being finalised
KUALA LUMPUR: Academic staff at public universities will soon be permitted to make public statements related to their areas of expertise. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said implementation guidelines on the matter will be detailed in the ministry's Administrative Circular, which is currently being finalised. He said the circular will also serve as the official reference for all public universities, under the Second Schedule of the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000. "We are of the view that all university members, whether students or lecturers, are free to express statements, opinions, and positions on matters responsibly, provided these do not violate university regulations, national laws, or touch on sensitive issues. "The ministry remains committed to strengthening the principles of academic freedom and promoting intellectual openness among academic staff and students at institutions of higher learning (IPTs)," he said in a written parliamentary reply. Zambry was responding to a question from Nurul Amin Hamid (PH-Padang), who asked about measures to safeguard academic freedom and students' freedom of expression, in line with the aspiration of universities to serve as platforms for open and critical debate following the 2023 amendments to the Universities and University Colleges Act (AUKU). He said that freedom of expression among university members, whether students or academic staff, must be accompanied by responsibility, ethics, and intellectual discipline. "Every university member is encouraged to express their ideals and views maturely through legitimate channels, reflecting their intelligence, leadership capability, and commitment to building a forward-looking and progressive society." Last year, the New Straits Times reported that the ministry had requested a review of the Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act 2000 to allow public universities to freely make statements.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia must pioneer cross-border TVET training, says Zahid
Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for insightful discussions on skills mismatch, the rising demand for digital and green talent, and driving innovation. KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia must be a pioneer in cross-border apprenticeship programmes within Asean to boost regional integration, says deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said this is one way the regional bloc will shape a workforce that is 'inclusive, future-ready and poised to lead the global technical and vocational education and training industry'. 'A student from the Philippines can train in Malaysia, an Indonesian in Vietnam, and a Thai graduate in Singapore, turning Asean integration into a living reality through the movement of skills and knowledge. 'And perhaps, from this very gathering, we can establish a new regional movement – the Asean Green and Digital Skills Task Force,' he said at the Asean TVET Conference here today. Zahid, who is also the chairman of the National TVET Council, said such a task force would unite Asean with 'concrete actions, measurable targets and mutual support' to cultivate the talent needed by the region. The two-day conference, jointly hosted by the Human Resource Development Corporation and Skills Development Fund Corporation, seeks to provide a dynamic platform to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster innovation, and build strategic partnerships in support of Asean's digital and green transformation. It is also one of the flagship platforms of the Asean Year of Skills 2025, an initiative under Malaysia's Asean chairmanship to accelerate skills development, promote regional mobility, and prepare the Asean workforce for emerging economic and technological shifts. Zahid also called for insightful discussions on skills mismatch, the rising demand for digital and green talent, and driving innovation. 'I have instructed my officers to capture these insights because I will not allow this to be mere dialogue. 'It must spark policies that meet market needs, open opportunities for all, make employers true partners, and fast-track cutting-edge learning,' he said. In June, Bernama reported Zahid as saying student enrolment in TVET institutions rose to 436,285 last year, with 53.5% of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders opting for TVET pathways. Asean development of EV industry Speaking at the conference, human resources minister Steven Sim noted that OpenAI last week launched its GPT-5 artificial intelligence system, which he said can deliver information of a higher order and faster 'than a PhD expert'. 'This has confirmed our suspicion for the past few years. AI replaces conventional academically-trained personnel,' he said. Sim said AI can write code, produce high-level designs, solve complicated maths and generate speeches and other expert statements. However, he said, the world still needs those who can build, repair, operate, communicate, supervise and organise, making it necessary for Asean to have a more collaborative approach towards the 21st century economy. He said such collaboration may be seen in the electric vehicle industry, for example. 'We should leverage our core competencies to develop an Asean EV industry, rather than have a zero-sum competition to the bottom,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Stay clear of Jalur Gemilang gathering, cops urge public
DAP sponsored a giant Jalur Gemilang for the hardware shop in Kepala Batas whose owner was accused of hoisting the national flag upside down. (N19 Jason Hng Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Police have urged the public to stay clear of any Umno Youth gathering outside a hardware store in Kepala Batas, Penang, related to the upside-down Jalur Gemilang issue. Penang police chief Azizee Ismail said this was to ensure public peace and the safety of the local community. 'We urge all parties to wait for the decision of the deputy public prosecutor's office (on the case) and not to commit any action that can raise tensions. 'Police will take stern action against any party that breaches the law or commits a breach in peace according to the relevant laws,' he said in a statement. Azizee said 38 police reports had been lodged across the country over the incident, and the investigation paper was submitted to prosecutors on Aug 11. DAP had sponsored a giant Jalur Gemilang for the hardware shop after the owner was accused of hoisting the national flag upside down. Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh had said that he and other leaders would turn up outside the hardware store tomorrow to see if DAP had hung its promised flag correctly. Bersatu Youth has also said it would join its Umno counterpart tomorrow. Akmal previously threatened to protest at the shop if the owner was not charged by Thursday, saying he would personally 'teach this 'Ah Pek' (uncle) how to put up a flag properly'. Civil society group Projek Sama subsequently urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene and rein in Akmal, to stop the Umno man's 'witch-hunt', especially if the shop owner was not charged over the issue. Terengganu Umno Youth also apologised for an error in a graphic of the Jalur Gemilang posted on the wing's social media account, saying it was an unintentional mistake by the graphic designer. Akmal, however, urged the police to act, even though the person involved was from his own party.
