Excellent students can appeal if they did not get into matriculation

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir speaking during a press conference after the arrival of Malaysian evacuees from Sudan at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, April 28, 2023. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023 candidates who scored 10As and above can appeal to enter into matriculation or public university foundation programmes, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

The Higher Education Minister said that there are “sufficient places” in both programmes to cater to the number of students who got 10As and above

“We will make sure everybody is given a place,” he told reporters after speaking at the Concorde Club meeting on Monday (July 1).

He added that there are counters opened at the ministry’s lobby to handle these appeals.

Zambry said one of the issues discussed during the meeting was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on Sunday (June 30) that all SPM students who scored 10As and above will get a place in the matriculation programme regardless of background.

The Prime Minister said the decision was reached after a Cabinet meeting on Friday (June 28).

"All of our children, when I say children, I mean Malay, Chinese, Indian, Dayak, Kadazan and all without exception.

"If our children scored 10As and above or obtained excellent results, without any exception, they will get a place. This is an assurance from the government.

"As such, the issue of race should no longer arise," he said during his speech at the closing of the National Training Week 2024 at Bukit Jalil on Sunday (June 30).

Zambry said the Prime Minister had informed the Higher Education Ministry to assess the situation to ensure these excellent students get a place in public universities that accept SPM leavers.

“The Higher Education Ministry and the Education Ministry will be working closely in order to identify these 10A students and we will work closely to provide necessary information for their respective placements either in matriculation or in the (public) university’s foundation programmes,” he added.

The Concorde Club is an informal group of editors and senior journalists meeting with politicians and key policy makers.

Previous guests of the Concorde Club, led by Star Media Group advisor and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, include Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and former MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.