Anwar's response shows business as usual in quota system, says Syed Saddiq

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman today criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's response to a student who had asked at an event in Penang whether the government intended to do away with the quota system for admission to institutes of higher learning in favour of meritocracy.

Speaking at a press conference, he said Anwar's response was clear proof that there would be no change in the issue.

"What has changed? For 20 years, it's been the same thing.

"Back then, he said one thing. When he's in power, it's something else."

The student had raised the question during a dialogue session at Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang yesterday after asking to be given some time to explain so that she would not be misinterpreted.

Anwar nevertheless stopped her several times as she tried to explain her question, stammering at one point.

He then told her that she should have followed his previous sessions with students.

"I already answered. Next time, follow," he said, before spending some 10 minutes answering the question, including at one point suggesting that the student was not being fair to poor Bumiputeras in remote schools.

Anwar also said that if he were to "satisfy" the student by abolishing the quota system, it would cost him the elections.

Syed Saddiq said that the issue of quotas for admission to institutes of higher learning, especially matriculation colleges and public universities, was a frequent topic of debate and a problem every year, regardless of which coalition was in power.

He said this was because the quota system for matriculation was 90% Bumiputera and 10% non-Bumiputera, while for basic admission, 100% priority was given to Bumiputeras.

He said Muda had three suggestions for improvements to make the system more transparent and fair, as well as able to help those who deserve it.

Firstly, he said, a special quota should be formed for the B40 group, regardless of race.

Secondly, he added, the country should transition to an education system based on need.

"A need-based education model," he said. "The reality is that Malay children from poor families will indeed be given priority. 

"The children of farmers and fishermen who come from families in need will be included in this group."

Lastly, he said that in the long term, recommendations based on international standards should be taken into account through the implementation of a 12-year or K-12 education model.

Under this model, he said, students would undergo 12 years of schooling before sitting for a general exam for entrance into institutes of higher learning.

He said the same suggestion had been made by think tanks, including the Education Implementation and Performance Unit, or Padu.

"Once again, I remind those at the pinnacle of power: don't forget the promises you made before," he said.

"It wasn't me who made these promises. They did, and now the people are demanding that their requests be heard."