The Higher Education Ministry has dismissed claims of backdoor entry into public universities, reaffirming that admissions are based strictly on merit and the national education system, not political influence or special channels.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said there are no relaxed entry requirements for any group, including holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
He stressed that the government has never promised automatic admission for UEC holders based solely on the qualification.
“We have never said UEC holders would be accepted entirely based on that single system. Admissions must align with the existing national education framework,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Adam Adli said entry into public universities has never been dictated by political sentiment or personal preference, adding that all applicants must meet established eligibility criteria under the country’s education system.
Meanwhile, he said 873,765 Malaysians graduated from public universities, polytechnics, community colleges and private higher education institutions over the past three years.
Graduate employability has also continued to improve, with the employment rate rising from 90.9% in 2023 to 92.5% in 2024, according to the Graduate Tracer Study.
The share of first-degree graduates earning between RM3,001 and RM4,000 increased from 22.7% in 2024 to 23.8% in 2025, while the proportion of diploma holders and above employed in skilled occupations rose to 72.1% in 2025, up from 68.3% in 2023.
