Several universities, including International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), are considering offering a place to an autistic student who was allegedly prevented from applying to public universities.
Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir gave his assurance that the matter would be resolved soon.
He said universities typically require confirmation of students’ specific type of disability before processing applications, in order to assess the facilities needed to accommodate them.
“I have ordered an investigation into the matter. The issue arose because the student applied under the OKU category, and the university wanted to know the type of disability so that the appropriate adjustments could be made based on the student’s condition.
“What we have done is to ensure that the student will be able to study at one of the public universities of his choice.
“I have been informed that IIUM, which is among the applicant’s preferred institutions, is also reviewing the case and considering placing the student there,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
He also stressed that there is no restriction or discrimination against OKU students pursuing higher education at public universities.
He was responding to a question from Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka), who asked the ministry to shed light on allegations that an autistic student had been denied the opportunity to apply for a place at a public university.
A mental health organisation had voiced concern over the incident in which a student, known only as Aniq, had achieved a matriculation CGPA of 3.83 and met both the general and specific entry requirements for the programme he applied to.
While Aniq was reportedly able to choose a university programme in the second phase of the central university admissions system, the options later “disappeared”.
Aniq’s course preferences were said to include computer science, mathematical sciences, and statistics at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Putra Malaysia.
