The government's move to increase matriculation intake while maintaining the bumiputera quota is just a temporary measure, said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
He said there was a need to fulfil the government's promise to Indians while also assuaging the fears of Malays.
"We agreed with the Indian community to increase the intake of Indian students for matriculation.
"But then there were concerns that increasing the number of Indian students would affect the allocation for Malays students.
"I believe the decision to increase the overall intake is just a temporary measure after there were tensions.
"We don't want them to think we are taking from the Malays. So we made the cake bigger," Anwar told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.
Yesterday, the cabinet agreed to increase student intake into the pre-university matriculation programme from 25,000 to 40,000, while maintaining the 90 percent quota for bumiputras.
The decision comes amid criticism that Indian students, including those who scored straight As in their SPM, were being deprived of the chance to be admitted into the programme.
The annual student intake for the matriculation programme is 25,000, of which 2,500 seats are allocated for non-bumiputera students.
Meanwhile, Anwar hit back at those who criticised the government's decision.
"Those who criticise, I believe they have never formed policy for the new Malaysia agenda. They should help by giving suggestions," he said. - Mkini
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