PUTRAJAYA: The government has given its assurance that the current Bumiputera quota system under the Education Ministry's matriculation programme will remain unchanged.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the importance of maintaining the existing quota for Bumiputera, citing its longstanding practice and alignment with Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
Article 153 reserves quotas for Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak in various services and permits.
This, he said, was despite the announcement yesterday which said students who obtained 10As and above in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam will be guaranteed a place in any matriculation programme regardless of race or locality.
Anwar said the matriculation placement often sparked discussion and controversy, and heated the political atmosphere.
"As such, we have chosen a path that we believe is fair and reasonable. If they (the students) are citizens and residents of Malaysia, we must protect them.
"At the same time, we must also acknowledge the reality of meritocracy. Therefore, whoever achieves 10As, regardless of race or locality, we guarantee them a place in matriculation.
"What will happen to the Bumiputera quota? It must be maintained because it has long been associated with Article 153 of the Federal Constitution and guarantees for the future of the Malays and Bumiputera, to prevent disparities," he said in his speech today at the Prime Minister's Department's monthly assembly.
Anwar said the government's decision to guarantee a place in any matriculation programme for students who obtained 10As regardless of race or locality was to address the issue of fairness in education.
"After so many years of independence, our children or I would say our grandchildren have been striving to compete in education, particularly in the context of SPM, aiming for greater excellence.
"More and more of them are achieving 10As, including, be it the Malay, Chinese, Indian, and those from Sabah and Sarawak.
"Each time, because of the Bumiputera quota, it raises somewhat exaggerated issues.
"On one hand, some arguing on the minority rights; and the other hand, there's the need to uphold constitutional principles and ensure opportunities for Bumiputeras who are often narratively positioned in lower socio-economic status.
"Therefore, the decision should momentarily ease the tension that the Education Ministry has to face almost every year," he said.
Anwar said the details would be disclosed by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
He said that meritocracy, although upheld, should not become a rigid ideology.
"If it continues, who will represent the disadvantaged?
"As a Madani government, we must be compassionate. Wanting this country to progress means we must uphold the best form of meritocracy, where those who are capable and bright are encouraged.
"But at the same time, we must not forget about the poor and marginalised.
"I do not want to be apologetic in defending this," he said.
Yesterday, Anwar in his speech at the closing of the National Training Week in Bukit Jalil announced that all students who obtained 10As and above in SPM will be guaranteed a place in any matriculation programme regardless of race or locality.
He said the decision was made by the cabinet last Friday.
The matriculation programme, established in 1998, is a preparatory programme for Bumiputera students to qualify them for undergraduate studies in science, technology and professional arts at local and international institutions of higher learning.
Starting 2005, the selection process for the programme has been through a race-based quota system, with 90 per cent of spots reserved for Bumiputera students and 10 per cent for non-Bumiputera students.