By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 30: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has questioned the Democratic Action Party (DAP) for its inaction over the matriculation ‘fiasco’ despite one of its members, Wong Kah Woh, holding a role as deputy minister in the Ministry of Education (MOE).
“It is becoming painfully clear that DAP prefers issuing press statements over taking responsibility.
“The recent fiasco over matriculation entry for SPM students with ‘A–’ grades is just the latest example of their half-hearted and reactive approach to governance, despite holding an unprecedented number of positions in the federal government,” said Yap in a statement.
Yap elaborated that at the federal level, DAP has five Cabinet ministers, six deputy ministers, and over 40 members of Parliament (MPs). However, it took massive public outcry and criticism for a Cabinet reversal.
“If DAP cannot even prevent such confusion and distress over something as basic as admission criteria, what exactly are they doing in Putrajaya?
“How many more statements will they issue to distract from the fact that they have failed to lead decisively from the start?” he questioned.
He further added that the government was elected to solve problems, and urged DAP to implement real solutions proactively, not only after being pressured into U-turns.
Even with the eventual reversal, Yap said the damage has been done, leading him to urge DAP to stop relying on after-the-fact damage control.
“If DAP continues to fail to deliver consistent and credible leadership, it is time for Malaysians to look elsewhere for leaders who will genuinely ensure their voices are heard and their aspirations respected,” he said.
According to The Star, a circular issued on April 30 stipulated that only those with 10 straight As, comprising only ‘A+’ and ‘A’ grades, qualify for the 2025/2026 matriculation intake. Then, on June 25, the MOE stated that the Cabinet had agreed to offer a place to all students with 10As and above, including those with ‘A-‘, if they applied for the matriculation programme.
Following that, on June 28, DAP Sarawak Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Stampin chief Soo Tien Ren criticised the ‘only A+ and A’ policy, which he said was poorly executed by the MOE despite having had a year to prepare.
Commenting on the government’s decision to revise the policy and include ‘A-‘ students under the automatic admission rule, he said it was a step in the right direction that showed the government’s willingness to listen and rectify its mistakes.
He then called on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which also has members in the federal Cabinet, to take a more active role in federal matters affecting Sarawakians. — DayakDaily
