Zambry’s merit-based admission claim: Profound ignorance or calculated denial?

 

HIGHER Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir recently claimed that admission to public universities, especially into high-demand programmes like medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, is based purely on merit.

The minister’s statement, made during the Perak Barisan Nasional (BN) Convention, reeks of either profound ignorance or calculated denial of the realities of Malaysia’s higher education system.

Zambry was responding to concerns raised by MIC about the non-admittance of many qualified Indian students to these professional programmes.

However, his remarks – downplaying or outright denying the existence of the quota system – are as laughable as attempting to hide a pumpkin under a heap of cooked rice.

A skewed reality

Let’s dissect the facts: 81% of public university students are Bumiputeras, with only 19% being non-Bumiputeras.

This disparity becomes even more pronounced in professional programmes like medicine and pharmacy, where Bumiputera dominance is glaring.

Is Zambry, as Higher Education Minister, truly unaware of the mechanisms behind these admissions, or is he simply performing the age-old dance of political denial to pacify concerns?

His refusal to acknowledge the preferential treatment given to Bumiputera students is an insult to the intelligence of Malaysians, who are well aware of the ethnic favouritism embedded in the system.

Quota or not, the outcome is clear

While the system might not be explicitly labelled as a “quota”, its effects speak volumes. The so-called effort to “correct ethnic imbalances” has long been a convenient excuse for institutionalised discrimination.

Public universities are fast becoming analogous to the civil service, where more than 90% of employees are Bumiputeras.

Is this meritocracy, or is it simply ethnic hegemony wrapped in a façade of fairness?

A hollow “Madani government”?

If Zambry’s denial of the quota system reflects anything, it’s the hypocrisy of the Madani government, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Internationally, this administration touts its respect for pluralism and ethnic diversity.

Yet domestically, blatant racial discrimination festers unchecked, particularly in education and employment.

Non-Bumiputdras, who contribute equally as taxpayers, are denied equal access to opportunities funded by their contributions.

When it comes to taxation, there’s no racial discrimination; but when it comes to reaping the benefits, the lines couldn’t be more pronounced.

The future looks grim

Perhaps Zambry’s comments are meant to foreshadow a future where Bumiputra dominance in public universities becomes so overwhelming that a quota system is irrelevant.

After all, why talk about balancing numbers when the scales are already tipped beyond repair?

Zambry’s dismissive remarks underscore the sorry state of public universities in Malaysia.

Institutions funded by all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, have become vehicles for the domination of one group at the expense of others.

Is this the vision of fairness and inclusivity promised by the Madani government?

In denying the undeniable, Zambry has not only highlighted his own lack of brilliance but also exposed the systemic inequities plaguing Malaysia.

It’s a tragedy that even in matters as fundamental as education, meritocracy remains a distant dream.

Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.