Umany: STPM top scorer offered direct intake route costing '10 times more'
Published: Sep 9, 2025 1:15 PM
Updated: 3:34 PM
Summary
- Umany claims that STPM top scorer Edward Wong was unfairly denied entry into UM’s accounting programme through the central admissions system, and instead offered a place via the costly direct intake route.
- Group argues this shows Wong met the entry requirements but was forced into a system that disadvantages outstanding STPM candidates.
Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) has claimed that STPM top scorer Edward Wong was offered admission into the university, but only through its controversial direct intake system “Satu”, which costs “up to ten times higher.”
In a statement today, the group expressed solidarity with Wong and urged both the government and Universiti Malaya (UM) to explain why he was denied entry into the accounting programme via the University Central Unit (UPU).
Wong (above), who scored a 4.0 CGPA in the STPM examination, had set his sights on becoming an accountant. But his dream was shattered when six universities rejected his applications.
His story took a turn after he shared his disappointment on Facebook, which drew the attention of MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who then sought answers.
Umany pointed out that since Wong received a direct intake offer, it proved that he met the qualifications for the programme.
“Yet, despite achieving a perfect 4.0 STPM result, he is now forced to pay tuition fees up to ten times higher than others to pursue the same course," the student group said.
The group lamented that despite the Madani government's three years in power, reforms to the university admissions system remain superficial, as it is "treating symptoms without addressing root causes", and has only made the university processes more complicated.
As a result, cases like Wong's, involving outstanding STPM and matriculation students, continue to occur year after year, leaving students deeply disheartened, it said.
Publish entry scores
Umany also called on the Higher Education Ministry to immediately publish the minimum entry scores, the ratio of UPU to direct intake students, and the ethnic breakdown for all universities and all programmes this year.
"Such transparency is essential for the public to understand how admissions are conducted.
"To support students facing unfair treatment, Umany has launched a complaint platform and has already gathered numerous related cases.
“From these, Umany has identified three main problems," the group said.
It said that while Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh had previously announced that STPM science stream students who achieve a 4.0 CGPA would be guaranteed entry into their top three programme choices, the reality proved otherwise, and many top STPM arts stream scorers have not received the same assurance.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh
"Umany questions why the policy only protects science students while excluding arts students. This constitutes a clear double standard, and the Education Ministry must treat all STPM candidates equally.
"Second, public universities have not increased UPU admission quotas in line with the rising number of applicants each year.
“This has made competition for high-demand programmes extremely intense, effectively marginalising STPM candidates," it added.
Umany cited a March 2024 parliamentary reply, which reportedly stated that fewer than two percent of STPM students were admitted into highly sought-after programmes such as dentistry, pharmacy, and medicine.
"Although the higher education minister previously pledged that UPU quotas would prioritise local students, admission outcomes reveal otherwise, as a large portion of seats has instead been diverted to direct intake students.
"Third, the government’s '10As policy', which guarantees automatic matriculation entry for such students, may seem supportive of excellence, but in reality exposes deeper inequities within the admissions system.
“The policy has led to a surge in matriculation enrolment, which in turn produced a sharp increase in students achieving 4.0 CGPA.
"However, the number of places in popular programmes has not risen accordingly, with many instead channelled to direct intake admissions," Umany added.
"Umany questions why the policy only protects science students while excluding arts students. This constitutes a clear double standard, and the Education Ministry must treat all STPM candidates equally.
"Second, public universities have not increased UPU admission quotas in line with the rising number of applicants each year.
“This has made competition for high-demand programmes extremely intense, effectively marginalising STPM candidates," it added.
Umany cited a March 2024 parliamentary reply, which reportedly stated that fewer than two percent of STPM students were admitted into highly sought-after programmes such as dentistry, pharmacy, and medicine.
"Although the higher education minister previously pledged that UPU quotas would prioritise local students, admission outcomes reveal otherwise, as a large portion of seats has instead been diverted to direct intake students.
"Third, the government’s '10As policy', which guarantees automatic matriculation entry for such students, may seem supportive of excellence, but in reality exposes deeper inequities within the admissions system.
“The policy has led to a surge in matriculation enrolment, which in turn produced a sharp increase in students achieving 4.0 CGPA.
"However, the number of places in popular programmes has not risen accordingly, with many instead channelled to direct intake admissions," Umany added.
Higher Education Ministry
As a result of this, the group said that nearly all applicants for popular programmes now hold perfect or near-perfect scores, making a 4.0 CGPA no longer a guarantee of admission.
This situation severely disadvantages STPM candidates, who generally find it more difficult to achieve maximum co-curricular scores, Umany added.
"Consequently, even top-performing students with flawless academic results are often relegated to their fourth or fifth programme choices, a crushing disappointment that undermines their hard work and dedication.
"Umany therefore strongly urges the higher education minister to immediately disclose the admission criteria for every university and programme, ensuring full transparency in the UPU system and preventing further injustices.
"Umany also calls on the ministry to expand UPU quotas and allocate more university places to STPM students, instead of disproportionately favouring direct intake candidates, particularly international students,” it added.
The group pointed out that this is a struggle for educational fairness, and it pledged to stand firmly alongside students until the ministry enforces full transparency and implements meaningful systemic reform.
Criticism over UM's direct intake system
In July, the student group criticised UM's direct intake system for allegedly sidelining STPM students and compromising fairness.
As a result of this, the group said that nearly all applicants for popular programmes now hold perfect or near-perfect scores, making a 4.0 CGPA no longer a guarantee of admission.
This situation severely disadvantages STPM candidates, who generally find it more difficult to achieve maximum co-curricular scores, Umany added.
"Consequently, even top-performing students with flawless academic results are often relegated to their fourth or fifth programme choices, a crushing disappointment that undermines their hard work and dedication.
"Umany therefore strongly urges the higher education minister to immediately disclose the admission criteria for every university and programme, ensuring full transparency in the UPU system and preventing further injustices.
"Umany also calls on the ministry to expand UPU quotas and allocate more university places to STPM students, instead of disproportionately favouring direct intake candidates, particularly international students,” it added.
The group pointed out that this is a struggle for educational fairness, and it pledged to stand firmly alongside students until the ministry enforces full transparency and implements meaningful systemic reform.
Criticism over UM's direct intake system
In July, the student group criticised UM's direct intake system for allegedly sidelining STPM students and compromising fairness.
This came after UM vice-chancellor Noor Azuan Abu Osman, on June 27, defended student recruitment through both the UPU and Satu systems.
The group cites admission data showing a disproportionate number of direct intake students with higher fees compared to STPM students.
It also called for transparency in admission criteria and enrollment data, urging the university and government to ensure equitable education.
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