Bumi quotas still needed but must be targeted, says academic

Academic Anuar Ahmad has stated that quotas for Malay and Bumiputera students at higher education institutions are still necessary to address socioeconomic and educational disparities. However, these quotas must be more targeted and better planned in order to genuinely benefit those who need them. In the long term, transitioning from quotas to capacity-building requires strategic planning and a phased approach, according to Anuar.

Universiti Malaya’s Suhaiza Hanim Zailani emphasized that while meritocracy is crucial, family background should also be considered in the admissions process. She argued that a purely merit-based system could hinder B40 and M40 students who lack access to resources such as extra classes or tuition. Suhaiza proposed a modest level of flexibility within meritocracy, allowing a certain percentage of admissions to take family background into consideration.

Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Azizuddin Sani noted that the country’s education system is placing more emphasis on merit than quotas. However, he stressed that the focus should shift from merely ensuring university access to providing quality education and nurturing the best talent possible. Azizuddin urged Malay and Bumiputera students to strive for excellence, aiming to become knowledge creators, technology owners, and economic leaders within the nation.