Bumi quotas still needed but must be targeted, says academic

Bumi quotas still needed but must be targeted, says academic

3 hours ago

Anne Muhammad

Anuar Ahmad also says that the shift from quotas to capacity-building must be carefully planned and phased to prepare society.

Academic Anuar Ahmad said the quota system should be improved to ensure that it genuinely benefits those who need it.

PETALING JAYA:

Quotas for Malay and Bumiputera students at higher education institutions are still necessary to narrow socioeconomic and educational disparities but should be more targeted, an academic says.

Anuar Ahmad.

Anuar Ahmad, deputy director of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Malaysia and International Studies, said the quota system should be improved to ensure that it genuinely benefits those who need it.

“Quotas are still needed for now. However, they should be targeted, better planned and designed to narrow gaps in society.

“In the long term, moving from quotas towards capacity-building requires clear and strategic planning, as well as a phased approach so that society is prepared for the shift,” he told FMT.

He was commenting on higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir’s remarks that the future of Malay and Bumiputera education should not continue depending on quotas, but instead focus on capacity-building.

Zambry said educational success could no longer be measured simply by the number of Malay and Bumiputera students entering universities, but by their ability to master science, technology, engineering and mathematics, develop technology, own intellectual property and build globally competitive companies.

Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani.

Suhaiza Hanim Zailani, director of Universiti Malaya’s Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, said meritocracy was important, but family background should also be taken into consideration.

She said a purely merit-based system could make it difficult for B40 and M40 students who do not have equal access to extra classes or tuition.

“If we can introduce some flexibility into meritocracy, there should still be a certain percentage that takes family background into account.

“We also need a certain percentage that considers their profile and family background,” she said.

Suhaiza said universities must remain inclusive spaces for education, and that reducing quotas without addressing educational disparities at the school level could cause low-income students to fall further behind.

She said some B40 students had the academic ability but were forced to work after completing the SPM examination or help their families because of financial constraints, affecting their chances of pursuing higher education.

Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani.

Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Azizuddin Sani, meanwhile, said the country’s education system was increasingly placing greater emphasis on merit than quotas.

However, he said the focus should shift from simply ensuring access to universities towards providing quality education and developing the best talent.

“We want to produce the best talent there is. Malay and Bumiputera students should also strive to be the best and be capable of becoming knowledge creators, technology owners and economic leaders,” he said.

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