Bumi quotas still needed but must be targeted, says academic

Anuar Ahmad, deputy director of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Malaysia and International Studies, advocates for improving the quota system to ensure it genuinely benefits those who need it. Quotas for Malay and Bumiputera students at higher education institutions remain necessary to address socioeconomic and educational disparities, but they should be more targeted and better planned.

In the long term, transitioning from quotas to capacity-building requires strategic planning and a phased approach to prepare society for the shift, according to Ahmad.

Universiti Malaya's Suhaiza Hanim Zailani emphasizes the importance of meritocracy while acknowledging the role of family background. She suggests that a purely merit-based system could disadvantage B40 and M40 students who lack access to extra classes or tuition. Introducing flexibility into meritocracy, while maintaining a certain percentage based on family background, could help address this issue.

Universiti Utara Malaysia's Azizuddin Sani notes that Malaysia's education system is increasingly prioritizing merit over quotas. However, he argues that the focus should shift from merely ensuring access to universities to providing quality education and developing the best talent. Malay and Bumiputera students should aim to become knowledge creators, technology owners, and economic leaders, according to Sani.