PUTRAJAYA: The government's commitment to ensuring access to education for everyone remains unchanged, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
This, he said, despite plans to remove subsidies from the sector for T20 students.
Zambry said that some parties are attempting to manipulate the issue by suggesting that the government plans to eliminate subsidies for education at all levels.
"Our commitment to education for everyone remains unchanged, be it for the B40, M40 and T20.
"However, at the same time, we need to consider the financial capabilities available. For example, you often hear about the struggles faced by families who find it difficult to secure educational places for their children, and we prioritise this.
"That's why the government's policy focuses on prioritising support for B40 families or those from lower-income backgrounds, especially those considered extremely poor.
"This is of utmost importance," he told reporters after the 2024 'Anugerah Tokoh Akademik Bahasa Melayu' (ATABM) ceremony today.
The issue of education subsidies was addressed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his speech at the National Symposium to End Poverty 2024 in Putrajaya on Monday.
Anwar, who is the finance minister, also hinted that the 2025 Budget will continue to assist the poor and stop the rich from taking advantage of heavily subsidised educational opportunities.
He said there must be a stop to 'leakages' involving wealthy people abusing education opportunities that should go to students from underprivileged backgrounds.
Zambry said certain quarters also claimed that the prime minister was not aware that affluent families did not send their children to public universities or public schools.
"Some also claimed that we are trying to discriminate against certain groups, but that is not true.
"This is playing with political sentiments," he said.
He said the government is open to suggestions and those with better perspectives should convey it to the government.
"The core message from the government is about education at all levels and ensuring access for everyone, regardless of their group."
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya's Associate Professor Dr Indirawati Zahid has been announced as the recipient of the ATABM 2024.
Universiti Putra Malaysia's Associate Professor Dr Rozita Radhiah Said and Politeknik Sultan Ibrahim's Siti Suhaila Samian were named as the recipients for Anugerah Tokoh Harapan Bahasa Melayu (ATHABM) and Anugerah Tokoh Bahasa Melayu Sektor Teknikal (ATBMST) respectively.
Two Special Education Minister Awards were given to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Profesor Dr Novel Anak Lyndon and Universiti Sains Malaysia's Associate Professor Dr Goh Sang Seong.
The prestigious annual awards was held to recognise the efforts of academics across public universities and higher education institutions nationwide who have promoted the Malay language as a platform for research, publication, teaching and professional services to the community in various fields of knowledge, including Social Sciences as well as Science and Technology.