Zambry Denies Claim Chinese Nationals Taking Local Student Quotas

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir today refuted allegations that an influx of students from China is limiting opportunities for local students to enter public universities in Malaysia.

He said it is not true that the government is admitting Chinese nationals into foundation programmes of public universities at the expense of local students for the sake of profits.

“We have never compromised on the policies set by the Central University Admission Unit (UPU). The priority at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) is always Malaysian students, because IPTAs are meant to provide education for Malaysian children first.

“It is not true that we are denying local students their rights. We have never sacrificed the UPU-set quota,” he told reporters after opening the IEEE International Symposium on the Physical and Failure Analysis of Integrated Circuits (IPFA) 2025 at the Setia Spice Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas today.

He was responding to a statement made in Parliament yesterday by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, who claimed that more students from China are gaining admission into public universities because they can afford it, compared to Malaysians.

Zambry said Malaysia hosts international students from more than 150 countries, including in private institutions of higher learning, in line with its internationalisation policy.

“They choose Malaysia because they trust our education system. Previously, they may have opted for Western countries, but due to increased geopolitical tensions and competition, they’ve turned to Malaysia instead,” he said.

He also described such allegations as causing unnecessary public anxiety and fuelling polemics that bring no benefit to the country.

As such, he urged anyone with questions on the matter, including Members of Parliament, to engage in direct discussions and seek constructive dialogue instead of politicising the issue in Parliament.

“I don’t want to see the creation of polemics that only do harm. When we make baseless accusations, we stir up unnecessary concerns,” he said.

-- BERNAMA