Orang Asli students who secure 5As and above in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination will be guaranteed admission into Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) educational institutions, says deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
As rural and regional development minister, Zahid said he had instructed Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki to ensure that Orang Asli students are awarded full scholarships to continue their studies at these institutions.
“This initiative reflects the commitment of the Madani government, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“I am playing my part in translating this commitment into action for the benefit of the entire community,” he said at the Santuni Kasih Syawal at Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Kroh today.
Also present were deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker Ramli Mohd Nor, Asyraf Wajdi, and state rural development, plantation, agriculture and food industry committee chairman Mohd Zolkafly Harun.
More than 1,000 Orang Asli from across Perak attended the event.
Orang Asli students who obtain 5As and below in SPM will also be given the opportunity to further their studies at any educational institution under Mara.
In 2024, a total of 1,932 Orang Asli students across Peninsular Malaysia sat for the SPM examination. Of these, 87 achieved results of 5As and above, including two who scored 9As, 13 who obtained 8As, 11 who received 7As, 22 who got 6As, and 39 who scored 5As.
Zahid, who is also the national technical and vocational education and training (TVET) committee chairman, said that a dedicated TVET pathway had been established specifically for Orang Asli students.
He said the initiative was to ensure their inclusion in the country’s skilled workforce and support their long-term development.
