Just be fair to reduce tensions in education system, says Zaid

PETALING JAYA: Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim today urged the government to stick to being meritocratic in allocating matriculation spots if it wants to reduce tensions in the education system.

Commenting on Putrajaya’s move to guarantee matriculation spots for all students who score at least 10 As in their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam, Zaid questioned how many non-Bumiputera students would be able to hit this mark.

He added that the Bumiputera quota in matriculation colleges should be done away with so that high scorers with fewer than 10 As would be able to enrol, regardless of race.

Students sitting for SPM typically take nine subjects in school with the addition of electives in order to achieve higher distinctions and score 10 As or more.

“What about those who score nine, eight or seven As? I feel sorry, especially for the poorer Indian and Chinese families. Ninety percent of matriculation places are already reserved for Bumiputeras, and their children have to get 10As to qualify.

“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim describes the tensions that pervade the country every time the SPM results are out or matriculation comes in. These tensions are all around because of discrimination in our education system.

“If the prime minister wants to reduce tensions in the education system and provide a long-term solution, he should be fair to everyone,” Zaid said in a post on X.

The former Kota Bharu MP also said that Putrajaya could still be fair and equitable while upholding Article 153 of the constitution “reasonably and rationally”.

Article 153 deals with the “special position” of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak.

Racial quotas for admission to public universities were abolished in 2002. However, matriculation colleges maintain a 90% quota for Bumiputeras, while certain foundation courses are exclusively for Bumiputeras.

Yesterday, Anwar said students who score 10 As and above in their SPM will be guaranteed a spot in matriculation colleges regardless of race or background, starting with the 2025 intake.

However, he said the existing Bumiputera quota for the matriculation programme would not be affected because, while meritocracy was important, there was still a need to avoid putting marginalised and poor communities at a disadvantage.

The prime minister said it was unfair to expect students from underprivileged backgrounds to compete on equal terms with those from well-equipped urban schools.

Nonetheless, Zaid maintained that meritocracy was the way to go, saying an education system that was not fair and transparent would constantly create tensions and unease among certain groups of people.

He said while concessions such as Anwar announced yesterday would help assuage these tensions, the same issue would resurface the following year when the next batch of SPM results is released.