KUALA LUMPUR: Open channels at public universities are discriminating against financially vulnerable students, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam).
He said this stemmed from the pressures on the universities that are forced to generate money, jeopardising the core purpose of the educational institutions.
He added that public universities are struggling due to insufficient funding, receiving only about 61% of their requested budgets.
“I have spoken with some vice-chancellors, like Universiti Malaya, they said that they only get 61% of the requested fundings (from the government) making them use open channels to recruit students commercially,” he said, when debating the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Aug 5).
He also said that while he supported any efforts by universities to get funding, he disagreed with the way the fees were being increased.
Dr Wee also pointed out that while it was understandable that the bumiputra quota was available for foundation studies at public universities, the open channels had “traded” the slots for money.
“It never crossed my mind that the bumiputra quota, that we always discuss about, was suddenly ‘sold’ by the universities.
“In the requirements (for foundation studies), the science foundation programme is only offered for bumiputra under the UPU channel.
“But, with the open channel by universities, as long as one has money, it’s possible,” he said, calling out the action.
Dr Wee also pointed out the influx of international students, especially from China, which he said had surpassed the total number of local Chinese students in some public universities.
He said that the public institutions should prioritise Malaysians over foreign students.
“So I ask for a balance to be restored. What is the objective of establishing a (public) university? For what purpose?
“(It is) For the most advanced, smartest Malaysians — the crème de la crème.
“Secondly, to enable social mobility through education, allowing even the poor to become professionals. That was the original objective of establishing a public university,” he said, however, supporting the internationalisation efforts of local universities.
