Zambry: SPM remains main entry requirement for IPTA admissions

Malaysia’s Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir clarified that the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination results remain the sole entry requirement for admissions to public higher education institutions (IPTA) through the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) Online. The policy, set by a Cabinet decision, applies to all students, regardless of the school they attended, whether public, private, religious, or pondok schools. Zambry emphasized that university admissions under UPU Online are managed separately from the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), which oversees schools. The government does not recognize alternative certificates or systems for IPTA entry, insisting SPM is the foundational requirement. He acknowledged some groups criticize the policy as insufficient but reiterated its consistency with Malaysia’s education framework. The minister dismissed allegations of discrimination, stating the government does not differentiate between student groups. While religious and pondok schools operate under distinct systems, the SPM remains the standardized benchmark for higher education eligibility. Zambry’s remarks followed the launch of the Higher Education Roadshow in Terengganu, where Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) also handed over its Kampung Angkat MADANI initiative. Critics argue the policy limits opportunities, but Zambry defended the approach, stressing SPM’s role in maintaining educational equity. He rejected comparisons between school types, clarifying that admissions are based solely on SPM performance. The government’s stance remains unchanged, with SPM as the primary gateway to public tertiary education in Malaysia.