By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 4: The Sarawak government’s decision to implement a merit-based system for student admissions to its higher education institutions (IPT) has been described as a bold move that should be emulated by other Malaysian states.
In a news report by TVS, former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim emphasised the meed for reform in the national education system.
“If we can begin without quotas in higher education, we can gradually introduce merit-based policies in other sectors.
“However, it is essential to address concerns about rural and underprivileged students competing fairly,” he said in a post on the X platform yesterday.
Zaid advocated for additional scholarships and tuition assistance to support these students in pursuing higher education.
However, he also stressed that students must recognise the importance of hard work to gain university admission.
“Why would they need to work hard if they know they can be admitted with lower grades? We are all born with different abilities, attitudes, and values,” he said.
His comments followed Sarawak Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee’s recent announcement that admissions to Sarawak’s five State-owned universities—University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Swinburne University, Curtin University Malaysia, i-CATS University College, and the Centre of Excellence in Technology Sarawak (Centexs)—will be merit-based.
Commenting further, Zaid emphasised that while the government is responsible for providing adequate educational facilities, it is not obligated to ensure specific outcomes for every student.
“The government’s duty is to assure all Malaysians have a bright future if they work hard. The ultimate goal is to allow capable individuals to benefit from their efforts,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
