Akmal Insists SPM Must Remain Mandatory Requirement for Public Universities
PETALING JAYA: The debate surrounding entry requirements into Malaysia’s public universities has resurfaced after the government announced opportunities for students from Chinese independent schools and tahfiz institutions to pursue selected programmes in public higher education institutions.
Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the Youth Chief of UMNO, has voiced strong opposition to any relaxation of the existing requirements, insisting that the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination must remain the compulsory pathway for all students seeking admission into public universities.
According to him, Malaysia’s national education framework has long established SPM as the core academic qualification for entry into public tertiary institutions, and the principle should continue to apply equally to all students regardless of educational background.
Speaking through a statement shared on social media, he stressed that students from Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) streams or tahfiz institutions should still be required to sit for SPM if they wish to enrol in public universities.
He argued that the existing system has functioned effectively for years and should not be diluted through excessive policy flexibility that could eventually weaken the country’s education structure.
“Public university admission requirements should continue to be based on SPM. Whether they come from UEC schools or tahfiz institutions, students who wish to enter IPTA must still sit for SPM,” he said.
His remarks came shortly after Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi announced that graduates from tahfiz institutions and Chinese independent secondary schools would be allowed to apply for selected programmes in public universities.
Under the latest Cabinet decision, candidates from those educational streams may be considered for admission provided they have passed Bahasa Melayu and History subjects administered by Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia and recognised by Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.
The new approach has generated mixed reactions from various quarters, with supporters describing it as a more inclusive move aimed at broadening educational access, while critics fear it could gradually erode the role of the national examination system.
Muhamad Akmal maintained that the current framework already allows students from different educational backgrounds to pursue higher education in public institutions, provided they fulfil the established requirements.
He pointed out that many UEC and tahfiz students had previously taken the initiative to sit for SPM examinations in order to qualify for admission into public universities, demonstrating that the existing policy was workable.
According to him, introducing separate or more flexible pathways for certain groups may create inconsistencies in admission standards and raise broader questions about the direction of the national education policy.
He also warned against what he described as the gradual opening of “floodgates” in the country’s education framework, arguing that policies should remain consistent and aligned with Malaysia’s national education identity.
The issue of UEC recognition and alternative pathways into public universities has remained a recurring topic in Malaysia’s education discourse for years, often attracting strong views from political leaders, educators and the public.
Supporters of broader recognition believe students from diverse educational systems should be given fair opportunities to pursue tertiary education, especially if they meet essential language and national history requirements.
However, opponents continue to insist that public university admissions should remain firmly anchored to the national examination system to preserve academic consistency and national educational standards.
With differing views continuing to emerge, the issue is expected to remain a prominent subject of public discussion as policymakers balance inclusivity, academic standards and the long-term direction of Malaysia’s education system.
-wilayah.com.my
